Methods of treating crop plants

ABSTRACT

A method of treating dicot seedlings comprises contacting dicot seedlings with a composition comprising at least one cyclopropene one or more times prior to transplanting the dicot seedlings. A method of treating crop plants comprises contacting crop plants one or more times with a composition comprising at least one cyclopropene while the crop plants are at a specific development stage, such as reproductive stage.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/801,515 filed on May 10, 2007, which claims thebenefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.60/800,516 filed on May 15, 2006, and U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/801,773 filed on May 11, 2007, which claims the benefit of the filingdate of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/800,516 filed on May15, 2006, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein in itsentirety by this reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to methods of treating crop plants and tomethods of treating dicot seedlings to improve quality, yield and/orenvironmental stress tolerance of crop plants.

BACKGROUND

Plants are often treated with chemical compositions to control attackfrom pests (e.g., insects) and/or vegetation (e.g., weeds or fungi), aswell as to promote plant growth and/or yield. It is also desirable toprotect plants from abiotic environmental stress (e.g., heat, cold, highwind, salinity, drought, or flood) that may adversely affect theirgrowth and productivity. Further, plants may suffer and/or die fromtransplant shock when they are transplanted from one location to anotherlocation. When plants are under such environmental stress, significantlosses in quality and yield are commonly observed.

L. Pozo et al. report that the citrus trees treated with liquidsolutions containing an abscission agent and 1-methyl cyclopropene(1-MCP) showed low fruit detachment force and low levels of leafabscission. L. Pozo et al., Differential Effects of 1-Methylcyclopropeneon Citrus Leaf and Mature Fruit Abscission, J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci.,2004, 129(4), pp. 473-478.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0160704 discloses methods of increasingcrop yield of non-citrus plants by contacting non-citrus plants with acomposition comprising cyclopropene and a composition comprising a plantgrowth regulator that is not a cyclopropene.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010/0304975 discloses methods forincreasing the abiotic environmental stress tolerance of plants byfoliar field spraying plants with a composition comprising a xyloglucanderivative between 1 hour and 72 hours before the abiotic environmentalstress arrives.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013/0298290 discloses methods of increasingthe abiotic environmental stress tolerance of plants by addingcyclopropene in the plant irrigation water.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,119,855 discloses methods for conferring tolerance toabiotic stress to plants by transforming plants with a nucleotidesequence encoding an RKS protein, especially an RKS subgroup II protein(more specifically RKS1, RKS4 or truncated RKS4), or an RKS subgroup III(more preferably RKS12).

U.S. Pat. No. 8,889,949 discloses methods for increasing resistance ofmonocot plants against abiotic stress by transforming the monocot plantswith a recombinant plasmid containing a fused gene (TPSP) of trehalose-6phosphate synthetase (TPS) gene and trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase(TPP) gene to express the TPSP gene, while maintaining normal plantgrowth and development characteristics.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect for present disclosure, a methods of treating crop plantscomprises contacting crop plants one or more times with a compositioncomprising at least one cyclopropene, while the crop plants are at aparticular development stage appropriate for such crop plants.

In other aspect for present disclosure, a methods of treating cropplants comprises contacting crop plants one or more times with acomposition comprising at least one cyclopropenes, while the crop plantsare at one or more reproductive stage.

In yet other aspect for present disclosure, a method of treating cropplants or seedlings comprises contacting the crop plants or seedlingsone or more times with a composition comprising at least onecyclopropenes, and transplanting the crop plants or seedlings from onelocation to another location.

In further aspect for present disclosure, a method of treating dicotseedlings comprises contacting dicot seedlings one or more times with acomposition comprising at least one cyclopropenes from minutes to 7 daysprior to transplanting the dicot seedlings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the term “seedling” or grammatical variations thereofmeans and includes a young plant sporophyte developing out of a plantembryo from a seed. Seedling development starts with germination of theseed, which is commonly performed in a controlled environment, e.g.,greenhouse, hotbed, cold frame.

As used herein, the term “transplanting” or grammatical variationsthereof means and includes moving a plant from one location andreplanting it at another location.

As used herein, the term “abiotic stress” or grammatical variationsthereof means and includes the impact of non-living factors on plants ina specific environment that is beyond its normal range of variation andresults in a significant adverse effect on the performance of a plantpopulation or the individual physiology of a plant. Example of abioticstress may include, but are not limited to, heat, cold, high wind,salinity, drought, flood, osmotic stress, or salinity.

As used herein, the term “crop plants” or grammatical variations thereofmeans and includes plants that are grown for the purpose of removing oneor more plant parts, when such parts are considered a useful product.

As used herein, the term “horticultural crops”, “horticultural cropplants” or grammatical variations thereof means and includesagricultural products that are not agronomic crops and are not forestryproducts. Agronomic crops are herbaceous field crops, including grains,forages, oilseeds, and fiber crops. Forestry products are forest treesand forest products. Horticultural crop plants are usually relativelyintensively managed plants that are cultivated for food or for aestheticpurposes. Some typical horticultural crops are fruits, vegetables,spices, herbs, and plants grown for ornamental use.

As used herein, the term “harvesting” or grammatical variations thereofmeans and includes an act of removing useful plant parts from cropplants.

As used herein, the term “cyclopropene” means and includes any compoundwith the following formula

where each R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ is independently selected from the groupconsisting of H and a chemical group of the formula

-(L)_(n)-Z

wherein:

n is an integer from 0 to 12;

each L is independently selected from the group consisting of D1, D2, E,and J;

where D1 is of the formula

where D2 is of the formula

where E is of the formula

where J is of the formula:

where each X and Y is independently a chemical group of the formula

-(L)_(m)-Z,

m is an integer from 0 to 8, and no more than two D2 or E groups areadjacent to each other and no J groups are adjacent to each other; and

each Z is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,halo, cyano, nitro, nitroso, azido, chlorate, bromate, iodate,isocyanato, isocyanido, isothiocyanato, pentafluorothio, and a chemicalgroup G, wherein G is a 3 to 14 membered ring system, where the totalnumber of heteroatoms in -(L)_(n)-Z is from 0 to 6, and where the totalnumber of non-hydrogen atoms in the compound is 50 or less.

For the purposes of this disclosure, in the structural representationsof the various L groups, each open bond indicates a bond to another Lgroup, a Z group, or the cyclopropene moiety. For example, thestructural representation

indicates an oxygen atom with bonds to two other atoms; it does notrepresent a dimethyl ether moiety.

Among embodiments in which at least one of R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ is nothydrogen and has more than one L group, the L groups within thatparticular R¹, R², R³ or R⁴ group may be the same as the other L groupswithin that same R¹, R², R³ or R⁴ group, or any number of L groupswithin that particular R¹, R², R³ or R⁴ group may be different from theother L groups within that same R¹, R², R³ or R⁴ group.

Among embodiments in which at least one of R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ containsmore than one Z group, the Z groups within that R¹, R², R³ or R⁴ groupmay be the same as the other Z groups within that R¹, R², R³ or R⁴group, or any number of Z groups within that R¹, R², R³ or R⁴ group maybe different from the other Z groups within that R¹, R², R³ or R⁴ group.

R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ groups are independently selected from the suitablegroups. R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ groups may be the same as each other, or anynumber of them may be different from the others. Examples of groups thatare suitable for use as one or more of R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ may include,but are not limited to, aliphatic groups, cycloaliphatic groups,aliphatic-oxy groups, alkylphosphonato groups, alkylsulfonyl groups,cycloalkylsulfonyl groups, alkylamino groups, cycloalkylamino groups,alkylaminosulfonyl groups, alkylcarbonyl groups, heterocyclic groups,aryl groups, heteroaryl groups, halogens, silyl groups, other groups,and mixtures and combinations thereof. Groups that are suitable for useas one or more of R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ may be substituted or unsubstituted.Independently, groups that are suitable for use as one or more of R¹,R², R³ and R⁴ may be connected directly to the cyclopropene ring or maybe connected to the cyclopropene ring through an intervening group suchas, for example, a heteroatom-containing group.

Examples of aliphatic groups may include, but are not limited to, alkyl,alkenyl, and alkynyl groups. Suitable aliphatic groups may besubstituted or unsubstituted. Some suitable substituted aliphatic groupsmay include, but are not limited to, acetylaminoalkynyl,acetylaminoalkyl, acetylaminoalkynyl, alkoxyalkoxyalkyl, alkoxy alkenyl,alkoxyalkyl, alkoxyalkynyl, alkoxycarbonylalkenyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl,alkoxy carbonylalkynyl, alkylcarbonyloxyalkyl, alkyl(alkoxyimino)alkyl,carboxyalkenyl, carboxyalkyl, carboxyalkynyl, haloalkoxyalkenyl,haloalkoxyalkyl, haloalkoxyalkynyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkyl, haloalkynyl,hydroxyalkenyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkynyl, trialkylsilylalkenyl,trialkylsilylalkyl, trialkylsilylalkynyl, dialkylaminoalkyl,alkylsulfonylalkyl, alkylthioalkenyl, alkylthioalkyl, alkylthioalkynyl,haloalkylthioalkenyl, halo alkylthioalkyl, or haloalkylthioalkynyl.

Examples of aliphatic-oxy groups may include, but are not limited to,alkenoxy, alkoxy, alkynoxy, and alkoxycarbonyloxy. Examples ofalkylphosphonato groups may include, but are not limited to,alkylphosphonato, dialkylphosphato, or dialkylthiophosphato.Non-limiting example of alkylamino groups may be dialkylamino ormonalkylamino. Non-limiting example of alkylsulfonyl groups may bedialkylamino sulfonyl.

Examples of cycloaliphatic groups may include, but are not limited to,cycloalkenyl, cycloalkyl, and cycloalkynyl. Suitable cycloaliphaticgroups may be substituted or unsubstituted. Among the suitablesubstituted cycloaliphatic groups are, for example,acetylaminocycloalkenyl, acetylaminocycloalkyl, acetylaminocycloalkynyl,cycloalkenoxy, cycloalkoxy, cycloalkynoxy, alkoxyalkoxycycloalkyl,alkoxycycloalkenyl, alkoxycycloalkyl, alkoxycycloalkynyl,alkoxycarbonylcycloalkenyl, alkoxycarbonylcycloalkyl,alkoxycarbonylcycloalkynyl, cycloalkylcarbonyl,alkylcarbonyloxycycloalkyl, carboxycycloalkenyl, carboxycycloalkyl,carboxycycloalkynyl, halocycloalkoxycycloalkenyl,halocycloalkoxycycloalkyl, halocycloalkoxycycloalkynyl,halocycloalkenyl, halo cycloalkyl, halocycloalkynyl,hydroxycycloalkenyl, hydroxycycloalkyl, hydroxycycloalkynyl,trialkylsilylcycloalkenyl, trialkylsilylcycloalkyl,trialkylsilylcycloalkynyl, dialkylaminocycloalkyl,alkylsulfonylcycloalkyl, cycloalkylcarbonyloxyalkyl,cycloalkylsulfonylalkyl, alkylthiocycloalkenyl, alkylthiocycloalkyl,alkylthiocycloalkynyl, haloalkylthiocycloalkenyl,haloalkylthiocycloalkyl, or haloalkylthiocycloalkynyl.

Examples of heterocyclyl groups (i.e., non-aromatic cyclic groups withat least one heteroatom in the ring) may include, but are not limitedto, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkylsulfonyl groups orcycloalkylamino groups, such as, for example, dicycloalkylaminosulfonylor dicycloalkylamino. Suitable substituted heterocyclyl groups may besubstituted or unsubstituted. Among the suitable substitutedheterocyclyl groups are, for example, alkenylheterocyclyl,alkylheterocyclyl, alkynylheterocyclyl, acetylaminoheterocyclyl,alkoxyalkoxyheterocyclyl, alkoxyheterocyclyl,alkoxycarbonylheterocyclyl, alkylcarbonyloxyheterocyclyl,carboxyheterocyclyl, haloalkoxyheterocyclyl, haloheterocyclyl,hydroxyheterocyclyl, trialkylsilylheterocyclyl,dialkylaminoheterocyclyl, alkylsulfonylheterocyclyl,alkylthioheterocyclyl, heterocyclylthioalkyl, orhaloalkylthioheterocyclyl.

Examples of substituted and unsubstituted heterocyclyl groups that areconnected to the cyclopropene compound through an intervening oxy group,amino group, carbonyl group, or sulfonyl group may include, but are notlimited to, heterocyclylcarbonyl, diheterocyclylamino, ordiheterocyclylaminosulfonyl.

Examples of substituted and unsubstituted aryl groups may include, butare not limited to, alkenylaryl, alkylaryl, alkynylaryl,acetylaminoaryl, aryloxy, alkoxyalkoxyaryl, alkoxyaryl,alkoxycarbonylaryl, arylcarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxyaryl, carboxyaryl,diarylamino, haloalkoxyaryl, haloaryl, hydroxyaryl, trialkylsilylaryl,dialkylaminoaryl, alkylsulfonylaryl, arylsulfonylalkyl, alkylthioaryl,arylthioalkyl, diarylaminosulfonyl, and haloalkylthioaryl.

Examples of heteroaryl groups may include, but are not limited to,alkenylheteroaryl, alkylheteroaryl, alkynylheteroaryl,acetylaminoheteroaryl, heteroaryloxy, alkoxyalkoxyheteroaryl,alkoxyheteroaryl, alkoxycarbonylheteroaryl, heteroarylcarbonyl,alkylcarbonyloxyheteroaryl, carboxyheteroaryl, diheteroarylamino,haloalkoxyheteroaryl, haloheteroaryl, hydroxyheteroaryl,trialkylsilylheteroaryl, dialkylaminoheteroaryl,alkylsulfonylheteroaryl, heteroarylsulfonylalkyl, alkylthioheteroaryl,or haloalkylthioheteroaryl.

Examples of substituted and unsubstituted heteroaryl groups that areconnected to the cyclopropene compound through an intervening oxy group,amino group, carbonyl group, sulfonyl group, thioalkyl group, oraminosulfonyl group may include, but are not limited to,diheteroarylamino, heteroarylthioalkyl, or diheteroarylaminosulfonyl.

Further examples of suitable R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ groups may include, butare not limited to, hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, cyano, nitro,nitroso, azido, chlorato, bromato, iodato, isocyanato, isocyanido,isothiocyanato, pentafluorothio, acetoxy, carboethoxy, cyanato, nitrato,nitrito, perchlorato, allenyl, butylmercapto, diethyl phosphonato,dimethylphenylsilyl, isoquinolyl, mercapto, naphthyl, phenoxy, phenyl,piperidino, pyridyl, quinolyl, triethylsilyl, trimethylsilyl, orsubstituted analogs thereof.

As used herein, the chemical group G is a 3 to 14 membered ring system.Ring systems suitable as chemical group G may be substituted orunsubstituted. Further, they may be aromatic (including, for example,phenyl and napthyl) or aliphatic (including unsaturated aliphatic,partially saturated aliphatic, or saturated aliphatic); and they may becarbocyclic or heterocyclic. Among heterocyclic G groups, some suitableheteroatoms are, for example, nitrogen, sulfur, oxygen, and combinationsthereof. Ring systems suitable as chemical group G may be monocyclic,bicyclic, tricyclic, polycyclic, or fused. Among suitable chemical groupG ring systems that are bicyclic, tricyclic, or fused, the various ringsin a single chemical group G may be all the same type or may be of twoor more types (for example, an aromatic ring may be fused with analiphatic ring).

In some embodiments, G is a ring system that contains a saturated orunsaturated three-membered ring, such as, for example, a substituted orunsubstituted cyclopropane, cyclopropane, epoxide, or aziridine ring.

In some embodiments, G is a ring system that contains a four memberedheterocyclic ring; in some of such embodiments, the heterocyclic ringcontains exactly one heteroatom. Independently, in some embodiments, Gis a ring system that contains a heterocyclic ring with 5 or moremembers; in some of such embodiments, the heterocyclic ring contains 1to 4 heteroatoms. Independently, in some embodiments, the ring in G isunsubstituted; in other embodiments, the ring system contains 1 to 5substituents; in some of the embodiments in which G containssubstituents, each substituent is independently chosen from chemicalgroups in the category X as defined herein below. Also suitable areembodiments in which G is a carbocyclic ring system.

Examples of suitable G groups may include, but are not limited to,cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopent-3-en-1-yl, 3-methoxycyclohexan-1-yl,phenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 4-bromophenyl, 3-nitrophenyl,2-methoxyphenyl, 2-methylphenyl, 3-methyphenyl, 4-methylphenyl,4-ethylphenyl, 2-methyl-3-methoxyphenyl, 2,4-dibromophenyl,3,5-difluorophenyl, 3,5-dimethylphenyl, 2,4,6-trichlorophenyl,4-methoxyphenyl, naphthyl, 2-chloronaphthyl, 2,4-dimethoxyphenyl,4-(trifluoromethyl) phenyl, 2-iodo-4-methylphenyl, pyridin-2-yl,pyridin-3-yl, pyridin-4-yl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidin-2-yl, pyrimidin-4-yl,pyrimidin-5-yl, pyridazinyl, triazol-1-yl, imidazol-1-yl, thiophen-2-yl,thiophen-3-yl, furan-2-yl, furan-3-yl, pyrrolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl,thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, quinolyl,isoquinolyl, tetrahydrofuryl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl,tetrahydropyranyl, morpholinyl, piperazinyl, dioxolanyl, dioxanyl,indolinyl, 5-methyl-6-chromanyl, adamantyl, norbornyl, or theirsubstituted analogs such as, for example: 3-butyl-pyridin-2-yl,4-bromo-pyridin-2-yl, 5-carboethoxy-pyridin-2-yl, or6-methoxyethoxy-pyridin-2-yl.

In some embodiments, each G is independently a substituted orunsubstituted phenyl, pyridyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl, cycloheptyl,pyrolyl, furyl, thiophenyl, triazolyl, pyrazolyl, 1,3-dioxolanyl, ormorpholinyl. Among these embodiments include those embodiments, forexample, in which G is unsubstituted or substituted phenyl, cyclopentyl,cycloheptyl, or cyclohexyl. In some of these embodiments, G iscyclopentyl, cycloheptyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, or substituted phenyl.Among embodiments in which G is substituted phenyl are embodiments, forexample, in which there are 1, 2, or 3 substituents. Independently, alsoamong embodiments in which G is substituted phenyl are embodiments, forexample, in which the substituents are independently selected frommethyl, methoxy, and halo.

In some embodiments, one or more cyclopropenes are used in which one ormore of R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ is hydrogen. In some embodiments, R¹ or R² orboth R¹ and R² is hydrogen. Independently, in some embodiments, R³ or R⁴or both R³ and R⁴ is hydrogen. In some embodiments, R², R³, and R⁴ arehydrogen.

In some embodiments, one or more of R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ is a structurethat has no double bond. Independently, in some embodiments, one or moreof R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ is a structure that has no triple bond.Independently, in some embodiments, one or more of R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ isa structure that has no halogen atom substituent. Independently, in someembodiments, one or more of R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ is a structure that has nosubstituent that is ionic. Independently, in some embodiments, one ormore of R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ is a structure that is not capable ofgenerating oxygen compounds.

In some embodiments of the disclosure, one or more of R¹, R², R³ and R⁴is hydrogen or (C₁-C₁₀) alkyl. In some embodiments, each of R¹, R², R³and R⁴ is hydrogen or (C₁-C₈) alkyl. In some embodiments, each of R¹,R², R³ and R⁴ is hydrogen or (C₁-C₄) alkyl. In some embodiments, each ofR¹, R², R³ and R⁴ is hydrogen or methyl. When R¹ is methyl and each ofR², R³, and R⁴ is hydrogen, the cyclopropene is known herein as1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP).

In some embodiments, a cyclopropene is used that has boiling point atone atmosphere pressure of 50° C. or lower; or 25° C. or lower; or 15°C. or lower. Independently, in some embodiments, a cyclopropene is usedthat has boiling point at one atmosphere pressure of −100° C. or higher;−50° C. or higher; or −25° C. or higher; or 0° C. or higher.

The cyclopropenes applicable to this disclosure may be prepared by anymethod. Some suitable methods of preparation of cyclopropenes are theprocesses disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,518,988 and 6,017,849. Anycompound that is not a cyclopropene is known herein as a“non-cyclopropene.”

The composition of present disclosure comprises at least onecyclopropene. The composition may be a gaseous composition, a liquidcomposition, or a solid composition.

Plants are subject to various biological processes such as, for example,growth, ripening, senescence, maturation, abscission, and degradation.Altering biological processes in plants or plant parts by contactingthem with one or more chemical compositions is known as plant growthregulation. Chemical compositions that are effective at causing plantgrowth regulation are known herein as “plant growth regulators.”

Some examples of classes of plant growth regulators that are notcyclopropenes are as follows:

(I) Ethylene, non-cyclopropene ethylene release agents, andnon-cyclopropene compounds with high ethylene activity, including, forexample, ethephon, abscisic acid, propylene, vinyl chloride, carbonmonoxide, acetylene, or 1-butene.

(II) Non-cyclopropene compounds that inhibit ethylene synthesis orethylene receptor site action or both, including, for example,aminoethoxyvinylglycine or aminooxyacetic acid.

(III) Non-cyclopropene compounds with cytokinin activity, including, forexample, benzyl adenine, kinetin, zeatin, adenine, dihydrozeatin,tetrahydropyranylbenzyladenine, dimethylallyladenine, methylthiozeatin,ethoxyethyladenine, benzylamino benzimidazole, chlorophenylphenylurea,benzthiozolyoxyacetic acid, or fluorophenyl biuret compounds that elicitcytokinin response.

(IV) Non-cyclopropene auxins, including, for example, indoleacetic acid,indolepropionic acid, indolebutyric acid, naphthaleneacetic acid,beta-naphthoxyacetic acid, 4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid,2,4-dichlorooxyacetic acid, trichlorophenoxyacetic acid,trichlorobenzoic acid, or 4 amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid.

(V) Gibberellins, including, for example, GA₂, GA₃, GA₄, GA₅, GA₇, andGA₈ having variously substituted giberellin backbone structures,helminthosporic acid, phaseolic acid, kaurenoic acid, or steviol.

(VI) Cofactors and inhibitors of IAA oxidase, including, for example,chlorogenic acid, coumaric acid, quercitin, or caffeic acid.

(VII) Non-cyclopropene secondary growth inhibitors, including, forexample, methyl jasmonate.

(VIII) Non-cyclopropene natural growth hormones, including, for example,natural growth hormones derived from, for example, kelp, algae, orbacteria.

In some embodiments, the practice of the present disclosure involves theuse of a composition comprising at least one cyclopropene and withoutusing any plant growth regulator that is not cyclopropene. In someembodiments, the practice of the present disclosure involves the use ofat least cyclopropene and the use of at least one plant growth regulatorthat is not a cyclopropene. Such embodiments may or may not use one ormore members of the remaining classes of plant growth regulators thatare not cyclopropenes. For example, embodiments are envisioned that donot use any member of class I (defined herein above), but suchembodiments may or may not use one or member of any of classes II-VIII.

In some embodiments, the composition of present disclosure comprises theuse of a composition comprising at least one cyclopropene and the use ofa composition comprising at least one fungicidally active compound.Independently, in some embodiments, the composition of presentdisclosure does not include aminoethylvinylglycine. Independently, insome embodiments, the composition of present disclosure does not includeany derivatives of vinylglycine.

Independently, in some embodiments, the composition does not include anycompound that is a strobilurin. Strobilurins are known in the art andare defined, for example, by Harden et al. in WO 2005/044002.

In some embodiments, the composition of present disclosure has noabscission agent.

In the practice of the present disclosure, the composition may becontacted with a plant in a variety of ways. For example, thecomposition may be a solid, a liquid, a gas, or a mixture thereof.

In some embodiments, the composition of present disclosure is a gaseouscomposition. In such embodiments, crop plants may be surrounded by anormal ambient atmosphere (at approximately one atmosphere pressure) towhich the composition of present disclosure has been added. In someembodiments, the concentration of cyclopropene is 0.1 nl/l (i.e.,nanoliter per liter) or higher; or 1 nl/l or higher, or 10 nl/l orhigher; or 100 nl/l or higher. Independently, in some embodiments, theconcentration of cyclopropene is 3,000 nl/l or lower; or 1,000 nl/l orlower.

In some embodiments, the composition of present disclosure is a liquidcomposition. Such compositions may be liquid at a temperature of 25° C.In some embodiments, the composition is liquid at the temperature atwhich the composition is used to treat plants. Because plants are oftentreated outside of any buildings, plants may be treated at temperaturesranging from about 1° C. to about 45° C. Suitable liquid compositionsneed not be liquid over such entire range, but they are liquid at sometemperature from about 1° C. to about 45° C.

The liquid composition of present disclosure may be a single puresubstance, or it may contain more than one substance. If containing morethan one substance, the liquid composition may be a solution or adispersion or a combination thereof. If, in the liquid composition, onesubstance is dispersed in another substance in the form of a dispersion,the dispersion may be of any type, including, for example, a suspension,a latex, an emulsion, a miniemulsion, a microemulsion, or anycombination thereof.

The amount of cyclopropene in the liquid composition may vary widely,depending on the type of composition and the intended method of use. Insome embodiments, the amount of cyclopropene, based on the total weightof the composition, is 4% by weight or less; or 1% by weight or less; or0.5% by weight or less; or 0.05% by weight or less. Independently, insome embodiments, the amount of cyclopropene, based on the total weightof the composition, is 0.000001% by weight or more; or 0.00001% byweight or more; or 0.0001% by weight or more; or 0.001% by weight ormore.

Among embodiments of the present disclosure that use a liquidcomposition comprising water, the amount of cyclopropene may becharacterized as parts per million (i.e., parts by weight ofcyclopropene per 1,000,000 parts by weight of water in the composition,“ppm”) or as parts per billion (i.e., parts by weight of cyclopropeneper 1,000,000,000 parts by weight of water in the composition, “ppb”).In some embodiments, the amount of cyclopropene is 1 ppb or more; or 10ppb or more; or 100 ppb or more. Independently, in some embodiments, theamount of cyclopropene is 10,000 ppm or less; or 1,000 ppm or less.

In some embodiments, the composition may further include at least onemolecular encapsulating agent. Independently, in some embodiments, thecomposition may not include any molecular encapsulating agent. When amolecular encapsulating agent is used, suitable molecular encapsulatingagents include, for example, organic and inorganic molecularencapsulating agents. Suitable organic molecular encapsulating agentsinclude, for example, substituted cyclodextrins, unsubstitutedcyclodextrins, and crown ethers. Suitable inorganic molecularencapsulating agents include, for example, zeolites. Mixtures ofsuitable molecular encapsulating agents are also suitable. In someembodiments of the disclosure, the encapsulating agent isalpha-cyclodextrin, beta-cyclodextrin, gamma-cyclodextrin, or a mixturethereof. In some embodiments, particularly when the cyclopropene is1-methylcyclopropene, the encapsulating agent is alpha-cyclodextrin. Thepreferred encapsulating agent will vary depending upon the structure ofthe cyclopropene or cyclopropenes being used. Any cyclodextrin ormixture of cyclodextrins, cyclodextrin polymers, modified cyclodextrins,or mixtures thereof may also be utilized pursuant to the presentdisclosure. Some cyclodextrins are available, for example, from WackerBiochem Inc., Adrian, Mich. or Cerestar USA, Hammond, Ind., as well asother vendors.

In some of the embodiments in which a molecular encapsulating agent ispresent, at least one molecular encapsulating agent encapsulates one ormore cyclopropenes. A cyclopropene or substituted cyclopropene moleculeencapsulated in a molecule of a molecular encapsulating agent is knownherein as a “cyclopropene molecular encapsulating agent complex.” Insome embodiments, the composition of present disclosure is a liquidcomposition in which some or all of the cyclopropene is encapsulated inone or more encapsulating agent. The cyclopropene molecularencapsulation agent complexes may be prepared by any means.

In one method of preparation, for example, such complexes are preparedby contacting the cyclopropene with a solution or slurry of themolecular encapsulation agent and then isolating the complex, using, forexample, processes disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,017,849. For example, inone method of making a complex in which 1-MCP is encapsulated in amolecular encapsulating agent, the 1-MCP gas is bubbled through asolution of alpha-cyclodextrin in water, from which the complex firstprecipitates and is then isolated by filtration. In some embodiments,complexes are made by the above method and, after isolation, are driedand stored in solid form, for example as a powder, for later addition touseful compositions.

In some embodiments, the composition comprises at least onecyclopropenes and at least one molecular encapsulating agent. In some ofsuch embodiments, the amount of molecular encapsulating agent mayusefully be characterized by the ratio of moles of molecularencapsulating agent to moles of cyclopropene. In some embodiments, theratio of moles of molecular encapsulating agent to moles of cyclopropeneis 0.1 or larger; or 0.2 or larger; or 0.5 or larger; or 0.9 or larger.Independently, in some of such embodiments, the ratio of moles ofmolecular encapsulating agent to moles of cyclopropene is 2 or lower; or1.5 or lower.

In some embodiments, the composition may further include at least oneionic complexing reagent. An ionic complexing reagent interacts with acyclopropene to form a complex that is stable in water. Some suitableionic complexing reagents, for example, include lithium ion. In someembodiments, no ionic complexing reagent is used.

In some embodiments, the composition of present disclosure furtherincludes one or more metal-complexing agents. In some embodiments, thecompositions of the present disclosure do not include anymetal-complexing agent. A metal-complexing agent is a compound that iscapable of forming coordinate bonds with metal atoms. Somemetal-complexing agents are chelating agents. As used herein, a“chelating agent” is a compound, each molecule of which is capable offorming two or more coordinate bonds with a single metal atom. Somemetal-complexing agents form coordinate bonds with metal atoms becausethe metal-complexing agents contain electron-donor atoms thatparticipate in coordinate bonds with metal atoms. Suitable chelatingagents include, for example, organic and inorganic chelating agents.Among the suitable inorganic chelating agents are, for example,phosphates such as, for example, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, sodiumtripolyphosphate, and hexametaphosphoric acid. Among the suitableorganic chelating agents are those with macrocyclic structures andnon-macrocyclic structures. Among the suitable macrocyclic organicchelating agents are, for example, porphine compounds, cyclic polyethers(also called crown ethers), and macrocyclic compounds with both nitrogenand oxygen atoms.

Some suitable organic chelating agents that have non-macrocyclicstructures are, for example, aminocarboxylic acids, 1,3-diketones,hydroxycarboxylic acids, polyamines, aminoalcohols, aromaticheterocyclic bases, phenol, aminophenols, oximes, Shiff bases, sulfurcompounds, and mixtures thereof. In some embodiments, the chelatingagent includes one or more aminocarboxylic acids, one or morehydroxycarboxylic acids, one or more oximes, or a mixture thereof. Somesuitable aminocarboxylic acids include, for example,ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA),hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA), nitrilotriacetic acid(NTA), N-dihydroxyethylglycine (2-H×G),ethylenebis(hydroxyphenylglycine) (EHPG), and mixtures thereof. Somesuitable hydroxycarboxylic acids include, for example, tartaric acid,citric acid, gluconic acid, 5-sulfoslicylic acid, and mixtures thereof.Some suitable oximes include, for example, dimethylglyoxime,salicylaldoxime, and mixtures thereof. In some embodiments, EDTA isused.

Some additional suitable chelating agents are polymeric. Some suitablepolymeric chelating agents include, for example, polyethyleneimines,polymethacryloylacetones, poly(acrylic acid), and poly(methacrylicacid). Poly(acrylic acid) is used in some embodiments.

Some suitable metal-complexing agents that are not chelating agents are,for example, alkaline carbonates, such as, for example, sodiumcarbonate.

Metal-complexing agents may be present in neutral form or in the form ofone or more salts. Mixtures of suitable metal-complexing agents are alsosuitable.

In some embodiments, the composition of present disclosure does notcontain any water. In some embodiments, the composition of presentdisclosure contains water. In some of such embodiments, water maycontain one or more metal ions, such as, for example, iron ions, copperions, other metal ions, or mixtures thereof. In some embodiments, thewater contains 0.1 ppm or more of one or more metal ions.

Among embodiments that use one or more metal-complexing agent, theamount of metal-complexing agent used may vary widely. In someembodiments in which at least one liquid composition is used, the amountof metal-complexing agent in that liquid composition will be adjusted tobe sufficient to complex the amount of metal ion that is present orexpected to be present in the liquid composition that contains themetal-complexing agent. For example, in some embodiments in which aliquid composition of the present disclosure is used that includes waterthat contains some metal ion, if a relatively efficient metal-complexingagent is used (i.e., a metal-complexing agent that will form a complexwith all or nearly all the metal ions in the water), the ratio of molesof metal-complexing agent to moles of metal ion will be 0.1 or greater;or 0.2 or greater, or 0.5 or greater, or 0.8 or greater. Among suchembodiments that use a relatively efficient metal-complexing agent, theratio of moles of metal-complexing agent to moles of metal ion will be 2or less; or 1.5 or less; or 1.1 or less. It is contemplated that, if aless-efficient metal-complexing agent is used, the ratio of moles ofmetal-complexing agent to moles of metal ion could be increased tocompensate for the lower efficiency.

Independently, in some embodiments in which a liquid composition isused, the amount of metal-complexing agent is, based on the total weightof the liquid composition, 25% by weight or less; or 10% by weight orless; or 1% by weight or less. Independently, in some embodiments, theamount of metal-complexing agent is, based on the total weight of theliquid composition, 0.00001% or more; or 0.0001% or more; or 0.01% ormore.

Independently, in some embodiments in which a liquid composition thatincludes water is used, the amount of metal-complexing agent mayusefully be characterized by the molar concentration of metal-complexingagent in the water (i.e., moles of metal-complexing agent per liter ofwater). In some of such liquid compositions, the concentration ofmetal-complexing agent is 0.00001 mM (i.e., milli-Molar) or greater; or0.0001 mM or greater; or 0.001 mM or greater; or 0.01 mM or greater; or0.1 mM or greater. Independently, in some embodiments in which a liquidcomposition of the present disclosure includes water, the concentrationof metal-complexing agent is 100 mM or less; or 10 mM or less; or 1 mMor less.

In some embodiments, one or more adjuvants are also included in thecomposition of present disclosure. The use of adjuvants is consideredoptional in the practice of the present disclosure. Adjuvants may beused alone or in any combination. When more than one adjuvant is used,it is contemplated that any combination of one or more adjuvants may beused. Examples of suitable adjuvants may include, but are not limitedto, surfactants, alcohols, oils, extenders, pigments, fillers, binders,plasticizers, lubricants, wetting agents, spreading agents, dispersingagents, stickers, adhesives, defoamers, thickeners, transport agents, oremulsifying agents.

In some embodiments, the composition of present disclosure contains atleast one adjuvant selected from alcohols, oils, or mixtures thereof.Such a composition may or may not additionally contain one or moresurfactant.

Among embodiments in which a liquid composition is used, any one or moreof the following liquid composition may be used: liquid compositionsthat contain one or more surfactant but no oil and no alcohol; liquidcompositions that contain one or more oil but no surfactant and noalcohol; or liquid compositions that contain one or more alcohol but nosurfactant and no oil. In some embodiments, one or more liquidcompositions are used that each contain one or more surfactant and oneor more oil; or one or more liquid compositions are used that eachcontain one or more surfactant and one or more alcohol. In someembodiments, one or more liquid compositions are used that each containsone or more surfactant, one or more oil, and/or one or more alcohol.

In some embodiments, the liquid composition does not contain anyorganosilicate compound. In some embodiments, the liquid compositioncontains at least one organosilicate compound.

In some embodiments, one or more surfactants are used. Suitablesurfactants include, for example, anionic surfactants, cationicsurfactants, nonionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, or mixturesthereof. Mixtures of suitable surfactants may also be used. In someembodiments, one or more anionic surfactant is used.

One group of suitable anionic surfactants is the sulfosuccinates,including, for example, alkaline salts of mono- and dialkylsulfosuccinates. In some embodiments, sodium salts of dialkylsulfosuccinates are used, including, for example, those with alkylgroups with 4 carbons or more, or 6 carbons or more. In someembodiments, sodium salts of dialkyl sulfosuccinates are used,including, for example, those with alkyl groups with 18 carbons orfewer; or 14 carbons or fewer; or 10 carbons or fewer. Example ofsuitable sodium salt of a dialkyl sulfosuccinate is, for example, sodiumdi-hexyl sulfosuccinate. One other suitable sodium salt of a dialkylsulfosuccinate is, for example, sodium di-octyl sulfosuccinate.

Another group of suitable anionic surfactants are the sulfates andsulfonates, including, for example, alkaline salts of alkyl sulfates. Insome embodiments, sodium salts of alkyl sulfates are used, including,for example, those with alkyl groups with 4 carbons or more, or 6carbons or more, or 8 carbons or more. In some embodiments, sodium saltsof alkyl sulfates are used, including, for example, those with alkylgroups with 18 carbons or fewer; or 14 carbons or fewer; or 10 carbonsor fewer. One suitable sodium salt of an alkyl sulfate is, for example,sodium dodecyl sulfate.

Some suitable surfactants are, for example, sodium di-octylsulfosuccinate, sodium di-hexyl sulfosuccinate, sodium dodecyl sulfate,polyglycerol esters, alcohol ethoxylates, alkylphenol ethoxylates (suchas, for example, TRITON™ X-100 from Dow), cetyl pyridinium bromide,ethoxylated alkyl amines, alcohol amines (such as, for example,ethanolamines), saponins, and silicone-based surfactants (such as, forexample, SILWET™ L-77 surfactant from OSi Specialties).

Suitable surfactants have various properties. For example, some areexcellent at enabling cyclopropene to remain in contact with certainplants or plant parts; some are readily soluble in the other ingredientsof the formulation; some do not cause phytotoxicity in plants or plantparts. Very few surfactants excel in every property, but, when one ormore surfactants are used, the practitioner will readily be able tochoose a surfactant or mixture of surfactants with the balance ofproperties most appropriate for the desired use, taking into account,for example, the species desired to be treated and the other ingredientsintended to be used in the composition.

Among embodiments in which one or more liquid compositions are used thatinclude one or more surfactants, some liquid compositions containsurfactant in amounts, by weight based on the total weight of the liquidcomposition, of 0.025% or more; or 0.05% or more; or 0.1% or more.Independently, some liquid compositions use surfactant in amounts, byweight based on the total weight of the liquid composition, of 75% orless; or 50% or less; or 20% or less; or 5% or less; or 2% or less; 1%or less; or 0.5% or less; or 0.3% or less.

In some of the embodiments in which a liquid composition is used, no oilis included in the composition.

Independently, in some of the embodiments in which a liquid compositionis used, one or more oils are used. As used herein, an “oil” is acompound that is liquid at a temperature of 25° C. and one atmospherepressure, and that has a boiling point temperature of 30° C. or higherat one atmosphere pressure. As used herein, “oil” does not includewater, does not include surfactants (as described herein above), anddoes not include alcohols (as described herein below). Some oils arehydrocarbon oils, while other oils are non-hydrocarbon oils. Hydrocarbonoils may be straight, branched, or cyclic alkane compounds with 6 ormore carbon atoms. As used herein, “non-hydrocarbon” means and includesany compound that contains at least one atom that is neither hydrogennor carbon.

In some embodiments in which a liquid composition is used, one or morehydrocarbon oils are included in the composition. In some embodiments,hydrocarbon oils are obtained from petroleum distillation and contain amixture of alkane compounds, along with, in some cases, impurities. Insome embodiments, hydrocarbon oils are used that contain 18 or fewercarbon atoms. Some suitable hydrocarbon oils include, for example,hexane, decane, dodecane, hexadecane, diesel oil, refined paraffinic oilsuch as ULTRAFINE™ spray oil from Sun Company, or mixtures thereof.

In some embodiments in which a liquid composition is used, one or morenon-hydrocarbon oils are included in the composition. In someembodiments, non-hydrocarbon oils have boiling point temperature of 50°C. or higher; or 75° C. or higher; or 100° C. or higher. Independently,in some embodiments, non-hydrocarbon oils have molecular weight of 100or higher; or 200 or higher; or 500 or higher.

Some suitable non-hydrocarbon oils are, for example, fattynon-hydrocarbon oils. The term “fatty” as used herein means and includeany compound that contains one or more residues of fatty acids. Fattyacids are long-chain carboxylic acids, with chain length of at leastfour carbon atoms. Typical fatty acids have chain length of 4 to 18carbon atoms, though some have longer chains. Linear, branched, orcyclic aliphatic groups may be attached to the long chain. Fatty acidresidues may be saturated or unsaturated. Further, fatty acid residuesmay contain functional groups, including for example alkyl groups,epoxide groups, halogens, sulfonate groups, or hydroxyl groups, that areeither naturally occurring or that have been added. Some suitable fattynon-hydrocarbon oils are, for example, fatty acids; esters of fattyacids; amides of fatty acids; dimers, trimers, oligomers, or polymersthereof; or mixtures thereof.

Some of the suitable fatty non-hydrocarbon oils, are, for example,esters of fatty acids. Such esters include, for example, glycerides offatty acids. Glycerides are esters of fatty acids with glycerol, andthey may be mono-, di-, or triglycerides. A variety of triglycerides arefound in nature. Most of the naturally occurring triglycerides containresidues of fatty acids of several different lengths and/orcompositions. Some suitable triglycerides are found in animal sourcessuch as, for example, dairy products, animal fats, and fish. Furtherexamples of suitable triglycerides are oils found in plants, such as,for example, coconut, palm, cottonseed, olive, tall, peanut, safflower,sunflower, corn, soybean, linseed, tung, castor, canola, citrus seed,cocoa, oat, palm, palm kernel, rice bran, cuphea, or rapeseed oil.

Among the suitable triglycerides, independent of where they are found orhow they are made, are those, for example, that contain at least onefatty acid residue that has 14 or more carbon atoms. Some suitabletriglycerides have fatty acid residues that contain 50% or more byweight, based on the weight of the residues, fatty acid residues with 14or more carbon atoms, or 16 or more carbon atoms, or 18 or more carbonatoms. One example of a suitable triglyceride is soybean oil.

Suitable fatty non-hydrocarbon oils may be synthetic or natural ormodifications of natural oils or a combination or mixture thereof. Amongsuitable modifications of natural oils are, for example, alkylation,hydrogenation, hydroxylation, alkyl hydroxylation, alcoholysis,hydrolysis, epoxidation, halogenation, sulfonation, oxidation,polymerization, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, alkylated(including, for example, methylated and ethylated) oils are used. Onesuitable modified natural oil is methylated soybean oil.

Also among the suitable fatty non-hydrocarbon oils are self-emulsifyingesters of fatty acids.

Another group of suitable non-hydrocarbon oils are silicone oilsSilicone oils are oligomers or polymers that have a backbone that ispartially or fully made up of —Si—O— links Silicone oils include, forexample, polydimethylsiloxane oils. Polydimethylsiloxane oils areoligomers or polymers that contain units of the form

where at least one of the units has X1=CH₃. In other units, X1 may beany other group capable of attaching to Si, including, for example,hydrogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkoxy,alkylpolyalkoxyl, substituted versions thereof, or combinations thereof.Substituents may include, for example, hydroxyl, alkoxyl, polyethoxyl,ether linkages, ester linkages, amide linkages, other substituents, orany combination thereof. In some suitable polydimethylsiloxane oils, allX1 groups are methyl. In some suitable polydimethylsiloxanes, at leastone unit has an X1 group that is not methyl; if more than one non-methylX1 unit is present, the non-methyl X1 units may be the same as eachother, or two or more different non-methyl X1 units may be present.Polydimethylsiloxane oils may be end-capped with any of a wide varietyof chemical groups, including, for example, hydrogen, methyl, otheralkyl, or any combination thereof. Also contemplated are cyclicpolydimethylsiloxane oils.

Mixtures of suitable oils may also be used, such as, for example,mixtures of plural hydrocarbon oils, mixtures of plural non-hydrocarbonoils, or mixtures of one or more hydrocarbon oil with one or morenon-hydrocarbon oil.

Some embodiments use oil in amounts, by weight based on the total weightof the composition, of 0.25% or more; or 0.5% or more; or 1% or more.Independently, some embodiments use oil in amounts, by weight based onthe total weight of the composition, of 90% or less; or 50% or less; or10% or less; or 5% or less; or 4% or less; or 3% or less.

Among embodiments in which one or more liquid compositions are used, insome liquid compositions, one or more alcohols are used. Suitablealcohols include, for example, alkyl alcohols and other alcohols. Asused herein, alkyl alcohols are alkyl compounds with one hydroxyl group;the alkyl group may be linear, branched, cyclic, or a combinationthereof; the alcohol may be primary, secondary, or tertiary. In someembodiments, alkyl alcohols are used which have alkyl groups with 2 ormore carbon atoms. In some embodiments, ethanol, isopropanol, or amixture thereof is used. In some embodiments, one or more alkyl alcoholsare used which have alkyl groups with 20 or fewer carbon atoms; or 10 orfewer carbon atoms; or 6 or fewer carbon atoms; or 3 or fewer carbonatoms.

Among liquid compositions that use alcohol, some liquid compositions usealcohol in amounts, by weight based on the total weight of the liquidcomposition, of 0.25% or higher; or 0.5% or higher, or 1% or higher.Among liquid compositions that use alcohol, some liquid compositions usealcohol in amounts, by weight based on the total weight of the liquidcomposition, of 90% or less; or 50% or less; or 10% or less; or 5% orless; or 4% or less; or 3% or less.

The ingredients of the disclosed composition may be admixed by anymeans, and in any order.

Disclosed herein are methods of treating crop plants that comprisecontacting crop plants one or more times with a composition comprisingat least one cyclopropene.

In the practice of the present disclosure, any method may be used thatallows the disclosed composition to contact crop plants. Examples ofsuch contact methods may include, for example, spraying, foaming,fogging, pouring, brushing, dipping, similar methods, or combinationsthereof. In some embodiments, spraying or dipping or both is used. Insome embodiments, spraying is used.

Among embodiments in which the disclosed composition is sprayed, anyspray conditions may be used. For example, nozzle size and pressure maybe chosen by the practitioner of the present disclosure to achievedesired results. Some useful nozzle types are, for example, flat fan,pre-orifice flat fan, hollow cone, full cone, air inclusion, low drift,or flooding. Independently, some useful spray pressures are, forexample, 127 kPa (15 psi), 422 kPa (50 psi), 844 kPa (100 psi), 1689 kPa(200 psi), and 2534 kPa (300 psi). Spray pressures that are intermediatebetween any pair of these useful spray pressures are, in someembodiments, also useful. Independently, in some embodiments, the sprayconditions are chosen to achieve certain droplet size; some usefuldroplet sizes are, for example, 50 micrometers, 100 micrometers, 200micrometers, 300 micrometers, 400 micrometers, 600 micrometers, and 800micrometers. Droplet sizes that are intermediate between any pair ofthese useful droplet sizes are, in some embodiments, also useful.

After crop plant is contacted with the disclosed composition, anyingredients of the disclosed composition that interact with the cropplant may begin that interaction right away. Alternatively, ingredientsof the disclosed composition may, independently of each other, interactwith the crop plant at a different time. For example, the liquidcomposition may form a release coating on all or part of the crop plant,and one or more ingredients may become available, over time, to interactwith the crop plant.

In the practice of present disclosure, the composition may be contactedwith the entire plant or may be contacted with one or more plant parts.Plant parts include any part of a plant, including, for example,flowers, buds, blooms, seeds, cuttings, roots, bulbs, fruits,vegetables, leaves, and combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the composition of the present disclosure is aliquid, and the liquid is sprayed onto crop plants growing in a field.Such a spraying operation may be performed one time or more than onetime on a particular group of crop plants during a single growingseason. In some embodiments, the amount of cyclopropene used in onespraying operation is 0.1 gram per hectare (g/ha) or more; or 0.5 g/haor more; or 1 g/ha or more; or 5 g/ha or more; or 25 g/ha or more; or 50g/ha or more; or 100 g/ha or more. Independently, in some embodiments,the amount of cyclopropene used in one spraying operation is 6000 g/haor less; or 3000 g/ha or less; or 1500 g/ha or less.

The disclosed composition may be applied to crop plants prior to theharvesting of the useful plant parts. If a composition is brought intocontact with a portion of the plant, that portion may or may not includethe useful plant part intended to be harvested. At least one treatmentof crop plants with the disclosed composition may be performed beforeany useful plant parts are harvested.

The crop plants that are treated may be any crop plants that produce auseful product. Normally, a specific part of the plant forms the usefulproduct. A plurality of useful plant parts, after removal from aplurality of plants, is known as a “crop.” Some types of crop plantshave a single type of useful plant part, while other types of cropplants have plural types of useful plant parts.

Among the crop plants that are suitable for use in the presentdisclosure are, for example, those with plant parts that are edible,those with plant parts that are non-edible but useful for some otherpurpose, and combinations thereof. Also contemplated as suitable cropplants are those from which useful materials can be extracted; suchuseful materials may be, for example, edible materials, raw materialsfor manufacturing, medicinally useful materials, and materials usefulfor other purposes.

Further contemplated as suitable crop plants are those that yield plantparts that are useful for their beauty and/or ornamental properties.Such ornamental plant parts include, for example, flowers and otherornamental plant parts such as, for example, ornamental leaves. Some ofsuch plants produce useful bulbs. In some embodiments, an entireornamental plant is considered to be the useful plant part.

Also suitable are crop plants that produce edible plant parts. Cropplants that produce all types of edible plant parts are contemplated assuitable for use in the present disclosure.

Suitable crop plants for present disclosure may be crop plants thatproduce fruits, vegetables, spices, herbs, or plants or plant partsgrown for ornamental use. In some embodiments, crop plants producefruits or vegetables. In some embodiments, crop plants producevegetables.

Many of the plants that are suitable for use in the practice of thepresent disclosure can be usefully divided into categories or groups.One useful method for defining such groups is the “Definition andClassification of Commodities,” published on or before Mar. 23, 2006, bythe Food and Agriculture Organization (“FAO”) of the United Nations as a“Draft.”

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the crop plants mayproduce one or more crops that fall within any one of the following cropgroups.

Also contemplated are embodiments in which crop plants that produce twoor more crops are used. In such embodiments, a single crop plant typethat produces two or more crops may be used, or a mixture of two or moreplants that produce different crops from each other may be used, or anycombination thereof. Independently, if two or more crops are used, theymay be from the same crop group or from different crop groups.

Crop Group 1 is cereals, including, for example, wheat, rice, barley,corn, popcorn, rye, oats, millet, sorghum, buckwheat, quiona, fonio,triticale, canary seed, canagua, quihuicha, adlay, wild rice, and othercereals. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, suitable plantsare those that produce wheat or rice or corn or sorghum. In someembodiments, corn plants are suitable. In some embodiments, wheat plantsare suitable.

Crop Group 2 roots and tubers, including, for example, potatoes, sweetpotatoes, cassava, yautia (cocomay), taro (cocoyam), yams, and otherroots and tubers. Also considered herein as a suitable root crop isChinese water chestnut (Eleocharis dulcis).

Crop Group 3 is sugar crops, including, for example, sugar cane, sugarbeet, sugar maple, sweet sorghum, sugar palm, and other sugar crops.

Crop Group 4 is pulses, including, for example, beans (including, forexample, kidney, haricot, lima, butter, adzuki, mungo, golden, greengram, black gram, urd, scarlet runner, rice, moth, tepary, lablab,hyacinth, jack, winged, guar, velvet, yam, and other beans), horse-bean,broad bean, field bean, garden pea, chickpea, bengal gram, garbanzo,cowpea, blackeyed pea, pigeon pea, cajan pea, congo bean, lentil,bambara ground nut, earth pea, vetches, lupins, and other pulses.

Crop Group 5 is nuts, including, for example, brazil nuts, cashew nuts,chestnuts, almonds, walnuts, pistachios, kola nuts, hazelnuts, arecanuts, pecan nut, butter nut, pili nut, Java almond, paradise nut,macadamia nut, pignolia nut, and other nuts.

Crop Group 6 is oil-bearing crops, including, for example, soybeans,groundnuts (including peanuts), coconuts, oil palm fruit, olives, karitenuts, castor beans, sunflower seeds, rapeseed, canola, tung nuts,safflower seed, sesame seed, mustard seed, poppy seed, melonseed,tallowtree seeds, kapok fruit, seed cotton, linseed, hempseed, and otheroilseeds. In some embodiments, soybean plants are suitable.

Crop Group 7 is vegetables, including, for example, cabbages,artichokes, asparagus, lettuce, spinach, cassava leaves, tomatoes,cauliflower, pumpkins, cucumbers and gherkins, eggplants, chilies andpeppers, green onions, dry onions, garlic, leek, other alliaceousvegetables, green beans, green peas, green broad beans, string beans,carrots, okra, green corn, mushrooms, watermelons, cantaloupe melons,bamboo shoots, beets, chards, capers, cardoons, celery, chervil, cress,fennel, horseradish, marjoram, oyster plant, parsley, parsnips, radish,rhubarb, rutabaga, savory, scorzonera, sorrel, watercress, and othervegetables.

Crop Group 8, is fruits, including, for example, bananas and plantains;citrus fruits; pome fruits; stone fruits; berries; grapes; tropicalfruits; miscellaneous fruits; and other fruits. Citrus fruits include,for example, orange, tangerine, mandarin, clementine, satsumas, lemon,lime, grapefruit, pomellow, bergamot, citron, chinotto, kumquat, andother citrus fruits. Pome fruits include, for example, apple, pear,quince, and other pome fruits. Stone fruits include, for example,apricot, cherry, peach, nectarine, plum, and other stone fruits. Berriesinclude, for example, strawberry, raspberry, gooseberry, currant,blueberry, cranberry, blackberry, loganberry, mulberry, myrtle berry,huckleberry, dangleberry, and other berries. Tropical fruits include,for example, fig, persimmon, kiwi, mango, avocado, pineapple, date,cashew apple, papaya, breadfruit, carambola, chrimoya, durian, feijoa,guava, mombin, jackfruit, longan, mammee, mangosteen, naranjillo,passion fruit, rambutan, sapote, sapodilla, star apple, and othertropical fruits. Miscellaneous fruits include, for example, azarole,babaco, elderberry, jujube, litchi, loquat, medlar, pawpaw, pomegranate,prickly pear, rose hips, rowanberry, service-apple, tamarind, andtree-strawberry.

Crop Group 9 is fibers, including, for example, cotton, flax, hemp,kapok, jute, ramie, sisal, and other fibers from plants. In someembodiments, cotton plants are suitable.

Crop Group 10 is spices, including, for example, pepper, pimento,vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, cardamon, cloves, anise, badian,fennel, ginger, bay leaves, dill seed, fenugreek seed, saffron, thyme,turmeric, and other spices.

Crop Group 11 is Fodder crops. Fodder crops are crops that arecultivated primarily for animal feed. Natural grasslands and pasturesare included in crop group 11, whether they are cultivated or not.Fodder crops also include, for example, corn for forage, sorghum forforage, rye grass for forage, clover for forage, alfalfa for forage,other grasses for forage, green oilseeds for silage, legumes for silage,other crops for silage, cabbage for fodder, pumpkins for fodder, turnipsfor fodder, beets for fodder, carrots for fodder, swedes for fodder,other vegetables or roots for fodder, and other fodder crops.

Crop Group 12 is stimulant crops, including, for example, coffee, cocoabean, tea, mate, other plants used for making infusions like tea, andother stimulant corps.

Crop Group 13 is tobacco and rubber and other crops, including, forexample, chicory root, carob, hops, oil of citronella, peppermint,spearmint, other plant oils used in perfumery, food, and otherindustries, pyrethrum, tobacco, natural rubber, natural gums (including,for example, balata, cerea, chicle, guayule, gutta-percha, andjelutong), other resins (including, for example, copaiba, gumtragacanth, incense, myrrh, opopanax, mecca balsom, tolu balsam, andperu balsam), and vegetable waxes (including, for example, candelilla,carnauba, urucury, and palm wax).

In some embodiments, the present disclosure involves treatment of anynon-citrus plant (i.e., any plant that is not in the genus Citrus).

In some of the embodiments in which apple trees are used, thecomposition of present disclosure contains no aminoethoxyvinylglycine,or, in some embodiments, no plant growth regulator of type II definedherein above, or, in some embodiments, no plant growth regulator that isnot a cyclopropene. In other embodiments, no apple trees are used in thepractice of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, no pome fruittrees are used in the practice of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the treated crop plants are not members of thegenus Nicotiana.

In some embodiments, crop plants that are contacted with the compositionof present disclosure include one or more of corn, soybean, cotton,apple, pear, rice, wheat, tomato, grape, sorghum, plum, kiwi, walnut,almond, pecan, sunflower, oilseed rape, canola, barley, rye ortriticale. In some embodiments, crop plants that are contacted with thecomposition of present disclosure include one or more of corn, soybean,cotton, apple, pear, rice, wheat, tomato, grape or sorghum. In someembodiments, crop plants that are contacted with the composition ofpresent disclosure include one or more of corn, soybean, cotton orwheat.

In some embodiments, the crop plants that are treated are any cropplants that produce a horticultural crop. Horticultural crops areagricultural products that are not agronomic crops and are not forestryproducts. Agronomic crops are herbaceous field crops, including grains,forages, oilseeds, and fiber crops. Forestry products are forest treesand forest products. Horticultural crop plants are usually relativelyintensively managed crop plants that are cultivated for food or foraesthetic purposes. Some typical horticultural crops are fruits,vegetables, spices, herbs, and plants grown for ornamental use.

Some embodiments involve treatment of solanaceous plants or cucurbitplants. Solanaceous plants include, for example, Lycopersicon esculentumplants (including, for example, tomato plants); capsicum plants(including, for example, bell pepper, paprika, and chile pepper plants);and Solanum melongena plants (including, for example, eggplant,aubergine, or brinjal plants). Cucurbit plants include, for example,Citrullus lanatus (watermelon) plants, Cucumis sativus (cucumber)plants, Cucumis melo (all types of melon) plants, Cucumis anguria (burgherkin) plants, Cucurbita (five species of squash & pumpkin) plants,Cucurbita pepo (summer squashes, pumpkin, scallops, straightnecks,zucchini, yellow-flowered gourd) plants, Cucurbita maxima (hubbard)plants, Cucurbita mixta (winter squash) plants, and Cucurbita moschata(butternut squash, banana squashes, and acorn squash) plants.

In some embodiments, the amount of cyclopropene is chosen to beappropriate for the particular crop that is being treated. For example,in some of the embodiments in which the crop plants are corn or soybean,the amount of cyclopropene is 500 g/ha or less, or 250 g/ha or less, or100 g/ha or less, or 50 g/ha or less. For another example, in some ofthe embodiments in which the crop plants are cotton, the amount ofcyclopropene is 50 g/ha or more, or 100 g/ha or more, or 200 g/ha ormore.

In some embodiments, a group of crop plants is treated simultaneously orsequentially. One characteristic of such a group of plants is the cropyield, which is defined as the amount (herein called “crop amount”) ofuseful plant parts collected from a defined group of plants. In oneuseful definition of the crop yield, the defined group of plants is thegroup that occupies a certain area of ground (this definition is oftenused when plants are growing in a contiguous group in a field). Inanother useful definition of the crop yield, the defined group of plantsis a specific number of individually identified plants (this definitionmay be used for any group of plants, including, for example, plants infields, in pots, in greenhouses, or any combination thereof).

The crop amount may defined in a variety of ways. In the practice of thepresent disclosure, the crop amount may be measured, for example, by anyof the following methods: weight, volume, number of harvested plantparts, or biomass. Also contemplated are methods in which the cropamount is measured as the amount in the crop of a specific constituent(such as, for example, sugar, starch, or protein). Further contemplatedare methods in which the crop amount is measured as the amount of acertain characteristic (such as, for example, redness, which issometimes used to measure the amount of a crop of tomatoes).Additionally contemplated are methods in which the crop amount ismeasured as the amount of a specific portion of the harvested plant part(such as, for example, the number of kernels or the weight of kernels,which are sometimes used to measure the amount of a crop of corn; or theweight of lint, which is sometimes used to measure the amount of acotton crop).

In some embodiments, the crop yield is defined as the crop amount perunit of area of land. That is, the land area from which the crop washarvested is measured, and the crop amount is divided by the land areato calculate the crop yield. For example, a crop amount measured as theweight of harvested plant parts would lead to a crop yield that isreported as a weight per area (for example, kilograms per hectare).

In some embodiments, the harvested plant parts that contribute to thecrop amount are those plant parts that meet the minimum quality criteriathat are appropriate for that type of plant part. That is, when plantparts are harvested from certain plants, the crop amount is, forexample, the weight of the plant parts of acceptable quality that areharvested from those plants. Acceptable quality may be determined by anyof the common criteria used by persons who harvest or handle the plantpart of interest. Such criteria of acceptable quality of a plant partmay be, for example, one or more of size, weight, firmness, resistanceto bruising, flavor, sugar/starch balance, color, beauty, other qualitycriteria, or any combination thereof. Also contemplated as a criterionof quality, either alone or in combination with any of the foregoingcriteria, is the time over which the plant part maintains its quality(as judged by any of the forgoing criteria).

A few illustrative (but not limiting) examples of crop amount are, forexample, total weight of crop harvested; total number of plant partsharvested; weight (or number) of harvested plant parts that each meet orexceed some minimum weight for that type of plant part; or weight (ornumber) of harvested plant parts that each meet or exceed some minimumquality criterion (e.g., color or flavor or texture or other criterionor combination of criteria) for that type of plant part; weight (ornumber) of harvested plant parts that are edible; or weight (or number)of harvested plant parts that are able to be sold. In each case, asdefined herein above, the crop yield is the crop amount per unit area ofland on which the crop was grown.

The methods of present disclosure may increase the crop yield of thatgroup of plants, compared to the crop yield that would have beenobtained from that group of plants if it had not been treated with themethods of present disclosure. The increase in crop yield may beobtained in any of a wide variety of ways. For example, one way anincrease in crop yield may be obtained is that each plant may produce agreater number of useful plant parts. As another example, one way anincrease in crop yield may be obtained is that each useful plant partmay have higher weight. As a third example, crop yield may increase whena larger number of potentially useful plant parts meets the minimumcriteria for acceptable quality. Other ways of increasing the crop yieldmay also result from the practice of the present disclosure. Alsocontemplated are increases in crop yield that happen by any combinationof ways.

Another contemplated benefit of practicing some embodiments of thepresent disclosure is that the general quality of the crop may beimproved. That is, a crop produced by the methods of present disclosuremay have a general or average level of quality higher than comparablecrops produced without the methods of present disclosure, as judged bythe quality criteria appropriate for that crop. In some cases, suchhigher-quality crops may command higher prices when sold.

The improvement in crop yield caused by the methods of presentdisclosure may arise by any mechanism. That is, the methods of presentdisclosure, in some embodiments, may cause an improvement in someprocess of the plant's development, maturation, growth, or reproduction,and such improvement in such process may, in turn, cause improvement incrop yield. For example, the methods of present disclosure may cause animprovement in any one or any combination of the following processes:synchronization of pollination (i.e., better agreement between the timeperiod when a plant sheds pollen and the time period when that plant isable to receive the pollen and become fertilized), photosynthesis,nitrogen accumulation, leaf senescence, or late-season production ofgreen leaves. In some of the embodiments where photosynthesis isimproved, the improvement in photosynthesis can be observed as increasedassimilation of carbon dioxide. Independently, the improvement in cropyield may, in some embodiments, occur because of improvement in diseaseresistance or drought resistance or frost resistance or heat resistanceor a combination thereof.

In some crops (such as, for example, corn), it is contemplated thatdrought resistance and the resultant improvement in crop yield arisebecause the methods of present disclosure causes stomatal closure, whichgives the plant its resistance to drought. Independently, some crops(such as, for example, wheat) experience improved frost tolerance whenused in the methods of present disclosure. Independently, some crops(such as, for example, wheat and grapes) experience improved resistanceto disease when used in the methods of present disclosure.

Independently, in some embodiments, improvement in crop yield may occurbecause of a delay in the dropping of one or more of leaves, flowers, orfruiting structures (such as, for example, pods, bolls, or the fruititself).

Independently, in some embodiments, improvement in crop yield may occurbecause of enhanced root nodulation, which sometimes occurs in certaincrops such as, for example, soybeans.

Whether or not the methods of present disclosure results in improvementin one or more of the above-mentioned processes, in some embodiments themethods of present disclosure leads to improvement in one or more of thefollowing: biomass volume, biomass quality, increased fruit, increasedfruit size (when desired), decreased fruit size (when desired), harvesttiming (advanced or delayed, as desired), reduced fruit drop, decreasedcell turgor, decreased russetting, lowered stress response, loweredwounding response, reduced storage disorders in harvested plant parts,increased shelf life of harvested plant parts, apical dominance,abscission prevention, senescence prevention, yellowing prevention,improved vigor during growth, improved vigor during transit, improvedvigor during transplant, or combinations thereof.

The growth and development process of many crop plants can be describedby certain developmental stages. For example, many crop plants developthrough vegetative stages followed by reproductive stages.

It has been found now that surprisingly and unexpectedly, for somespecific crop plants, there is a particular optimum stage or stages ofcrop plants at which the maximum improvement in crop yield may beachieved if crop plants are treated with the disclosed composition whilethey are in such particular optimum stage(s). This optimum stage orstages may be different for each type of crop plant and, in some cases,depends on the specific growing conditions.

Thus, in one aspect of the present disclosure, a method of treating cropplants comprises contacting crop plants one or time with a compositioncomprising at least one cyclopropene, while the crop plants are at aparticular optimum stage of development to achieve a maximum crop yield.It is contemplated that such contacting may be performed when the ratioof the number of plants that have reached the desired stage ofdevelopment to the total number of plants in the group is at least 0.1,or at least 0.5, or at least 0.75, or at least 0.9 (i.e., when theportion of plants that have reached the desired stage of development isat least 10%, or 50%, or 75%, or 90%).

In some embodiments, crop plants are contacted with the composition ofpresent disclosure one or more times, while the crop plants are at oneor more vegetative stages.

In some embodiments, crop plants are contacted with the composition ofpresent disclosure one or more times, while the crop plants are one ormore reproductive stages.

Also contemplated are embodiments in which crop plants are contactedwith the composition of present disclosure one or more times while thecrop plants are at one or more vegetative stages, and also contactedwith the composition of present disclosure one or more times while thecrop plants are at one or more reproductive stages.

Some crop plants develop through ripening stages after theirreproductive stages. In some embodiments, such crop plants are contactedone or more tune with the composition of present disclosure while thecrop plants are at one or more ripening stage, either in addition to orinstead of while the crop plants are other development stages.

Some crop plants develop through vegetative and reproductive processessimultaneously. Such crop plants may be contacted one or more times withthe composition of present disclosure after their germination but beforeharvest.

One particular embodiment of present disclosure is directed to methodsof treating soybean plants.

Soybean plants develop through vegetative stages followed byreproductive stages. Some of the vegetative stages are VE (emergence),VC (cotyledon), V1 (fully developed leaves at unifoliate node), and VN(“N” is the number of nodes on the main stem that have fully developedleaves). Some of the reproductive stages are R1 (beginning bloom), R2(full bloom), R3 (beginning pod), R4 (full pod), R5 (beginning seed),R5.5 (intermediate between R5 and R6), R6 (full seed), R7 (beginningmaturity), and R8 (full maturity).

In some embodiments, soybean plants are contacted with the compositionof present disclosure one or more times during one or more of anyvegetative stage, one or more of any reproductive stage, or anycombination thereof. In some embodiments, soybean plants are contactedwith the composition of present disclosure during one or more of V3, V4,V5, or V6 and, optionally, also one or more times during one or morereproductive stage. In some embodiments, soybean plants are contactedwith the composition of present disclosure one or more times during R1,R2, R3, R5, or R5.5. Independently, in some embodiments, soybean plantsare contacted with the composition of present disclosure one or moretimes during or after stage V3 and, optionally, at one or more laterstages. Independently, in some embodiments, soybean plants are contactedwith the composition of present disclosure one or more times during orafter stage R1 and, optionally, at one or more later stages.Independently, some embodiments involve contacting soybean plants with aliquid composition comprising at least one cyclopropene, after at least10% of said soybean plants have at least one node on the main stem withat least one fully developed leaf. Some embodiments involve contactingsoybean plants one or more times with a liquid composition comprising atleast one cyclopropene, after at least 10% of soybean plants have begunto bloom.

In one particular embodiment, a method of treating soybean plantscomprises contacting soybean plants one or more time with a compositioncomprising at least one cyclopropene while the soybean plants are at areproductive stage of R2 (full bloom), R3 (beginning pod), R5.5 (betweenbeginning seed and full seed), or a combination of any of thesereproductive stages.

As shown in Example 1, infra, soybean plants are treated with acomposition comprising 1-MCP at different dosages and while the soybeanplants are at different reproductive stages. TABLE 1 below summarizesthe results of Example 1.

TABLE 1 shows increases in % crop yield, compared to the soybean plantsthat are not treated with a composition comprising 1-MCP, for thesoybean plants treated with the composition while the soybean plants atdifferent development stages: reproductive stage of R2 (full bloom), R3(beginning pod), R5.5 (between beginning seed and full seed), or acombination of any of these reproductive stages.

TABLE 1 Development Stage(s) at which the % Increase in Soybean PlantsComposition is applied Crop Yield Untreated n/a 0.00% Treated withAdjuvant Oil R2, R3, and R5.5 1.51% Treated with R2 2.34% DisclosedComposition R3 5.22% at 1-MCP Dosage of R5.5 1.46%  1 g/ha R2 and R34.97% R2 and R5.5 2.68% R3 and R5.5 4.34% R2, R3, and R5.5 9.66% Treatedwith R2 1.79% Disclosed Composition R3 4.17% at 1-MCP Dosage of R5.53.16% 10 g/ha R2 and R3 7.36% R2 and R5.5 5.84% R3 and R5.5 5.11% R2,R3, and R5.5 14.20%  Treated with R2 2.63% Disclosed Composition R33.88% at 1-MCP Dosage of R5.5 5.84% 30 g/ha R2 and R3 14.18%  R2 andR5.5 6.58% R3 and R5.5 9.41% R2, R3, and R5.5 20.51% 

As shown in TABLE 1, an increase in crop yield is achieved when thesoybean plants are contacted with a composition comprising 1-MCP whilethey are at a reproductive stage of R2 (full bloom), R3 (beginning pod),R5.5 (between beginning seed and full seed), or a combination of any ofthese reproductive stages.

Surprisingly and unexpectedly, the magnitude of crop yield enhancementdepends on the development stage at which the soybean plants arecontacted with a composition comprising 1-MCP. Even though an increasein the soybean crop yield is achieved when the soybean plants aretreated with a composition comprising 1-MCP, the application of thecomposition while soybean plants are at the reproductive stage of R3(beginning pod), or a combination of R3 with R2 (full bloom) and/or R5.5(between beginning seed and full seed), appears to be more effective forenhancing the soybean crop yield.

Further, as shown in Example 1, treatment of soybean plants with acomposition comprising 1-MCP while the soybean plants are at thereproductive stage of R2 (full bloom), R3 (beginning pod) and/or R5.5(between beginning seed and full seed) also improve the protein contentof the harvested soybean crops.

One particular embodiment of present disclosure is directed to methodsof treating corn plants.

Corn plants develop through vegetative stages followed by reproductivestages. The vegetative growth stages of corn plants include VE(emergence), V1 (emergence of first leaf), VN (emergence of Nth leaf),VNMAX (emergence of last leaf), and VT (tasselling). One of thesevegetative stages is V5, which begins when the fifth leaf emerges.Another of these vegetative stages is V12, which begins when the twelfthleaf emerges. The reproductive growth stages of corn plants include R1(silking), R2 (blister), R3 (milk), R4 (dough), R5 (dent), R6(maturity).

In some embodiments, corn plants are contacted with the composition ofpresent disclosure during or after any of V5 (emergence of fifth leaf),V12 (emergence of 12th leaf), VT, R3, or during or after any combinationof two or more of V6, V12, VT, and R3. Independently, in someembodiments, corn plants are contacted with the composition of presentdisclosure during V12, during VT, and during R3. Independently, someembodiments involve spraying corn plants one or more times with a liquidcomposition comprising at least one cyclopropene, after at least 10% ofsaid corn plants have reached the developmental stage at which the fifthleaf is fully expanded, or after at least 10% of said corn plants havereached the developmental stage at which the twelfth leaf is fullyexpanded.

In one particular embodiment, a method of treating corn plants comprisescontacting corn plants one or more time with a composition comprising atleast one cyclopropene while the corn plants are at a development stageof V12 (the twelfth leaf emerges), VT (tasselling), R3 (milk), or acombination of any of these reproductive stages.

As shown in Example 2, infra, corn plants are treated with a compositioncomprising 1-MCP at different dosages of 1-MCP and while the corn plantsare at different development stages. TABLE 2 summarizes the results ofExample 2.

TABLE 2 shows the increases in both crop yield and kernel weight for thecorn plants treated with a composition comprising 1-MCP, compared to theuntreated corn plants, while the corn plants are at differentdevelopment stages: reproductive stage of V12 (the twelfth leafemerges), VT (tasselling), R3 (milk), or a combination of any of thesereproductive stages.

TABLE 2 Development % % Stage(s) at Increase Increase which the in inComposition Crop Kernel Corn Plants is applied Yield Weight Untreatedn/a  0.00% 0.00% Treated with V12  9.76% 7.26% Disclosed Composition VT13.41% 7.66% at 1-MCP Dosage of R3 10.37% 6.85% 10 g/ha V12, VT 10.98%6.05% VT, R3  4.88% 9.27% V12, VT, R3  3.66% 4.44% Treated with V1212.20% 8.87% Disclosed Composition VT 14.02% 11.69%  at 1-MCP Dosage ofR3 10.98% 6.85% 10 g/ha

As shown in TABLE 2, increases in both crop yield and kernel weight areachieved when the corn plants are contacted with a compositioncomprising 1-MCP while they are at a development stage of V12 (thetwelfth leaf emerges), VT (tasselling), R3 (milk), or a combination ofany of these reproductive stages. However, the magnitudes of enhancedcrop yield and increased kernel weight depend on the development stageat which the corn plants are contacted with a composition comprising1-MCP. The treatment of corn plants with a composition comprising 1-MCPwhile the corn plants are at VT (tasselling) stage appears to be moreeffective for enhancing the crop yield and kernel weight, compared toV12 (the twelfth leaf emerges) or VT (tasselling), R3 (milk) stage.

One particular embodiment of present disclosure is directed to methodsof treating cotton plants.

Cotton plants are believed to simultaneously produce vegetative andfruiting structures. However, cotton plants develop through well-knownstages. One such stage is the emergence of seedlings. The subsequentstages are marked by the appearance of pinhead squares and thenblooming.

In some embodiments, cotton plants are contacted one or more times withthe composition of present disclosure after seedling emergence. In someembodiments, cotton plants are contacted one or more times with thecomposition of present disclosure soon (i.e., three days or less) afterthe appearance of pinhead squares. In some embodiments, cotton plantsare contacted with the composition of present disclosure soon after theappearance of pinhead squares and are then subsequently contacted withthe composition of present disclosure again at one or more later time(i.e., 7 days or more after the previous treatment).

Independently, some embodiments involve spraying cotton plants one ormore times with a liquid composition comprising at least onecyclopropene, after at least 10% of said cotton plants have developedpinhead squares.

In one particular embodiment, a method of treating cotton plantscomprises contacting cotton plants one or more time with a compositioncomprising at least one cyclopropene at no more than 3 days after theappearance of pinhead squares or early bloom on the cotton plants, thencontacting the corn plants with the composition again at 14 days afterthe first contact, and optionally contacting the corn plants with thecomposition one more time at 28 days after the first contact.

In one further particular embodiment, a method of treating cotton plantscomprises contacting cotton plants with a composition comprising atleast one cyclopropene at no more than 3 days after the appearance ofearly bloom on the cotton plants, then contacting the corn plants withthe composition again at 14 days after the first contact, and furthercontacting the cotton plants with the composition at 28 days after thefirst contact.

Cotton plants are treated with a composition comprising 1-MCP while thecotton plants are at different development stages as shown in TABLE 3below and Example 3, infra.

TABLE 3 Treatment Type First Treatment Second Treatment Third TreatmentPHS 2 soon after 14 days after first none appearance of treatmentpinhead squares PHS 3 soon after 14 days after first 28 days after firstappearance of treatment treatment pinhead squares EB 2 soon after 14days after first none appearance of treatment early bloom EB 3 soonafter 14 days after first 28 days after first appearance of treatmenttreatment early bloom

TABLE 4 shows the percentage increase in lint yield for the cottonplants treated with the a composition comprising 1-MCP according to thetreatment types as shown in TABLE 3, and at different dosages of 1-MCP(250 g/ha, 500 g/ha, and 1250 g/ha), in comparison the untreated cottonplants.

The crop yield was assessed as the weight of lint per hectare. Treatmenttypes, treatment amounts (grams of 1-MCP per hectare), and results wereas follows. Many of the treatments lead to improvements in the yield oflint.

TABLE 4 Dosage of 1-MCP Treatment % Increase in (g/ha) Type Lint Yield 0Untreated 0.00% 250 PHS 2 1.14% PHS 3 1.67% EB 2 7.59% EB 3 9.74% 500PHS 2 12.98%  PHS 3 14.91%  EB 2 2.72% EB 3 14.61%  1250 PHS 2 11.36% PHS 3 5.88% EB 2 3.07% EB 3 14.34% 

As shown in TABLE 4, an increase in lint yield from cotton plants isachieved when the cotton plants are contacted with a compositioncomprising 1-MCP. However, the lint yield depends on the developmentstage at which the cotton plants are contacted with the compositioncomprising 1-MCP. The most improved lint yield is obtained from thecotton plants that are treated with the composition comprising 1-MCP atno more than 3 days after the appearance of early bloom on the cottonplants, then again at 14 days after the first treatment, and again at 28days after the first treatment.

One embodiment of present disclosure is directed to methods of treatingwheat plants.

Wheat plants grow through developmental stages that are commonlydescribed with the well-known Feekes scale. In the practice of thepresent disclosure, wheat plants may be contacted one or more times withthe composition of present disclosure during one or more stages on theFeekes scale, or during any combination thereof. Some of the stages onthe Feekes scale are, for example, F8.0 (flag leaf visible), F9.0(ligule of flag leaf visible), F10.0 (boot stage), and F10.5 (headingcomplete). In some embodiments, wheat plants are contacted with thecomposition of present disclosure during or after any one or more ofF8.0, F9.0, F10.0, or F10.5. In some embodiments, wheat plants arecontacted with the composition of present disclosure during two or moreof F8.0, F9.0, F10.0, and F10.5. In some embodiments, wheat plants arecontacted with the composition of present disclosure during each ofF8.0, F9.0, F10.0, and F10.5. Independently, in some embodiments, wheatplants are contacted with the composition of present disclosure at leastonce after at least 10% of the wheat plants have reached F9.0 growthstage. Independently, some embodiments involve spraying wheat plants oneor more times with a liquid composition comprising at least onecyclopropene, after at least 10% of the wheat plants have reached thedevelopmental stage at which the flag leaf is visible.

In some embodiments, wheat plants are treated that are selected from oneor more varieties that do not include either or both of the varietiesHalberd and Karl92. In some embodiments, the plants that are treated donot include wheat.

As shown in Example 4, infra, an increased crop yield, as well as animproved resistance to frost damage and disease damage is achieved bycontacting wheat plants with the composition comprising 1-MCP while thewheat plants are at the developmental stage of F10.5 (heading complete).

One particular embodiment of present disclosure is directed to methodsof treating tomato plants. Suitable tomato plants may include, but notlimited to, processing tomato plants or fresh market tomato plants.

Tomato plants are treated at least one time with at least one treatmenttaking place at any time during any reproductive stage. In someembodiments, tomato plants are treated at one or more of the followingtimes: at the initiation of the first bloom period; seven days after theinitiation of the first bloom period, 28 days before anticipatedharvest, 21 days before anticipated harvest, 14 days before anticipatedharvest, and any combination thereof. The suitable treatment ratesinclude, for example, 5 g/ha or more; or 10 g/ha or more; or 20 g/ha ormore. Independently, among embodiments involving treatment of tomatoplants, suitable treatment rates include, for example, 100 g/ha or less;or 60 g/ha or less; or 30 g/ha or less.

In one particular embodiments, a method of treating tomato plantscomprises contacting tomato plants with a composition comprising atleast one cyclopropene at one or more of the following times: during theperiod from initiation of the first bloom period to seven days after theinitiation of the first bloom period; and one or more times during theperiod from 28 days before anticipated harvest until harvest.

Tomato plants of different varieties are treated with the disclosedcomposition comprising 1-MCP as shown in Example 5, infra.

Example 5A shows an increase in tomato yield by treating processingtomato plant of variety AB2 with a composition comprising 1-MCP at oneor more of the following times: (i) during the period from initiation ofthe first bloom period (bloom1) to seven days after the initiation ofthe first bloom period (bloom2) and (ii) one or more times during theperiod from 28 days before anticipated harvest until harvest (day28).Furthermore, Example 5A shows that Brix yield (i.e., soluble solids,total soluble solids, soluble solids content), which is a measurement oftomato quality, is enhanced by treating processing tomato plant ofvariety AB2 with a composition comprising 1-MCP. Thus, the disclosedmethods not only increase crop yield of the tomato plants, but alsoenhance quality of tomatoes obtained from such tomato plants.

Example 5B shows that an increase in tomato yield (either based onweight of tomato crops/planted area, or numbers of tomato crops/plantedarea) is achieved by contacting processing tomato plant of variety 410with a composition comprising 1-MCP, while the tomato plants are atinitiation of the first bloom period (bloom1) or at seven days after theinitiation of the first bloom period (bloom2). However, the treatment oftomato plants variety 410 at initiation of the first bloom period(bloom1) provides superior improvement in tomato yield, compared to thetreatment at seven days after the initiation of the first bloom period(bloom2).

Example 5C shows an increase in tomato yield by treating fresh markettomato plant of variety FL74 with a composition comprising 1-MCP at oneor more of the following times: at the initiation of the first bloomperiod; seven days after the initiation of the first bloom period, 28days before anticipated harvest, and 14 days before anticipated harvest.

One particular embodiment of present disclosure is directed to methodsof treating bell pepper plants.

Bell pepper plants are treated at least one time, with at least onetreatment taking place at any time during any reproductive stage. Insome embodiments, bell pepper plants are treated at the initiation ofthe first bloom period.

Among embodiments involving treatment of bell pepper plants, suitabletreatment rates include, for example, 5 g/ha or more; or 10 g/ha ormore; or 20 g/ha or more. Independently, among embodiments involvingtreatment of bell pepper plants, suitable treatment rates include, forexample, 100 g/ha or less; or 60 g/ha or less; or 30 g/ha or less.

Example 6, infra, shows an increase in bell pepper yield by treatingbell pepper plants at the initiation of the first bloom period with acomposition comprising 1-MCP at different dosage of 1-MCP. TABLE 5summarizes the effect of treating bell pepper plant at the initiation ofthe first bloom period on pepper yield.

TABLE 5 Crop Yield Treatment Dosage (Total Bell peppers/ % Increase inof 1-MCP (g/ha) planted area) Crop Yield Untreated 176 n/a 5 292 66% 25243 38%

As shown in TABLE 5, a significant increase in crop yield (i.e., totalnumber of bell peppers obtained per planted area) is achieved bytreating bell pepper plants at the initiation of the first bloom periodwith a composition comprising 1-MCP

One particular embodiment of present disclosure is directed to methodsof treating watermelon plants.

Watermelon plants are treated at least one time, with at least onetreatment taking place at any time during any reproductive stage. Thetiming of treatments of watermelon plants can usefully be described as“DAF”; i.e., days after flowering, which means the number of days afterthe beginning of flowering. In some embodiments, watermelon plants aretreated one or more times at 1 to 14 DAF. In some embodiments,watermelon plants are treated at any one of or at any combination of thefollowing timings: 1 DAF, 7 DAF, and 14 DAF.

The treatment rate may include, for example, 1 g/ha or more; or 2 g/haor more; or 5 g/ha or more. Independently, among embodiments involvingtreatment of watermelon plants, suitable treatment rates include, forexample, 100 g/ha or less; or 60 g/ha or less; or 30 g/ha or less.

In one particular embodiments, a method of treating watermelon plantscomprises contacting watermelon plants one or more time with acomposition comprising at least one cyclopropene within 14 days afterflowering of watermelon plants.

Example 7, infra, shows an increase in crop yield of watermelon plants(based on total number of marketable watermelons per watermelon plant,as well as total mass of marketable watermelon per planted area) bytreating watermelon plants with a composition comprising 1-MCP atdifferent time after the flowering of watermelon plants. TABLE 6summarizes the effect on crop yield upon treating watermelon plants atdifferent time periods after flowering and at different dosages of1-MCP.

TABLE 6 % Increase in Crop Yield based on Treatment Treatment TimeNumbers. of Mass of Dosage of (no. of days watermelons/ watermelon/1-MCP (g/ha) after flowering) plant planted area Untreated n/a n/a n/a 57 13.76 4.05 14 32.11 30.86 7 and 14 28.44 25.68 10 7 34.86 36.49 1422.02 16.89 7 and 14 22.02 15.77 25 7 36.70 28.38 14 30.28 28.60 7 and14 18.35 13.29

As shown in TABLE 6, a significant increase in crop yield of watermelonplants, either based on total number of marketable watermelons perplant, or total mass of marketable watermelon per planted area) isachieved by treating watermelon plants one or more time with acomposition comprising 1-MCP within 14 days after flowering ofwatermelon plants

One particular embodiment of present disclosure is directed to methodsof treating cantaloupe plants.

Cantaloupe plants are treated at least one time, with at least onetreatment taking place at any time during any reproductive stage. Insome embodiments, cantaloupe plants are treated one or more times in theperiod from bud initiation to 10 days after blossom opening. In someembodiments, cantaloupe plants are treated after bud initiation butbefore blossom opening. In some embodiments, cantaloupe plants aretreated 10 days after blossom opening.

Suitable treatment rates include, for example, 5 g/ha or more; or 10g/ha or more; or 20 g/ha or more. Independently, among embodimentsinvolving treatment of cantaloupe plants, suitable treatment ratesinclude, for example, 100 g/ha or less; or 60 g/ha or less; or 30 g/haor less.

In one particular embodiments, a method of treating cantaloupe plantscomprises contacting cantaloupe plants one or more time with acomposition comprising at least one cyclopropene after bud initiationbut before blossom opening.

Example 8, infra, and TABLE 7 below show a crop yield of cantaloupeplants (based on average first flower set) by treating cantaloupe plantsat different development stage of cantaloupe plants with the compositioncomprising 1-MCP having a dosage of 1-MCP from about 5 g/ha to about 25g/ha.

TABLE 7 Development Stage of Cantaloupe Plants Average First at time ofTreatment Flower Set Untreated 0.137 After Bud Initiation, but 0.161Before Blossom Opening 10 Days After Blossom Opening 0.0247

As shown in TABLE 7, an increase in crop yield of cantaloupe plants isachieved by treating cantaloupe plants one or more time with thecomposition comprising 1-MCP after bud initiation but before blossomopening.

In some embodiments, rice plants are contacted one or more times withthe composition of present disclosure during one or more vegetativestage, one or more reproductive stage, one or more ripening stage, orany combination thereof.

In some embodiments, oilseed rape plants (also called rapeseed plants)are contacted one or more times with the composition of presentdisclosure after at least 10% of the oilseed rape plants have begun tobloom.

In some embodiments, apple trees are contacted one or more times withthe composition of present disclosure before harvest to improve cropyield. For example, as shown in Example 9, the Golden Delicious appletrees were treated with a composition comprising 1-MCP one week beforeharvest at a dosage rate of 375 gram 1-MCP per one hectare. TABLE 8shows the number of dropped apple fruits per tree at different timeperiod after the treatment. For comparison, the results for thetreatment using 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) at 20 ppm, andaminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) at 125 ppm are also reported.

TABLE 8 No. of Days Numbers of Dropped Apple Fruits per Tree after NAAAVG 1-MCP Treatment Untreated treated treated treated 0 0 0 0 0 7 18 5 54 62 30 11 11 9 21 45 20 23 15 28 115 65 35 20 35 195 118 45 39

As shown in TABLE 8, the apple trees treated with a compositioncomprising 1-MCP show about five times lower in the number of droppedapples per trees compared to untreated apple trees, and thereby providea significant increase in apple yield. Furthermore, the apple treestreated with a composition comprising 1-MCP provide lower number ofdropped apples per trees compared to the apple trees treated with1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) or amino ethoxyvinylglycine (AVG).

In some embodiments, an improvement in crop yield is evident at the timeof harvest, such as, for example, when the improvement is an increase inweights (i.e. mass) or numbers of crops per unit area of land asdisclosed in Examples 1-9.

In some embodiments, an improvement in crop yield is observed some timeafter the crop has been in storage. That is, in some cases, the cropyield is measured as the amount of high-quality crop that is deliveredto the retail market after storage.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure involve pre-harvestcontacting of crop plants with the disclosed composition to providecrops that can be put in storage after harvest and then come out ofstorage with higher quality than previously obtainable.

For example, apples sometimes develop an undesirable clear appearance inthe flesh of the fruit known as “water core” while still on the appletrees. Water core, when present, can persist during storage afterharvest. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, apple trees arecontacted with the composition of present disclosure prior to harvest,and the resulting crop of apples has an improved resistance todeveloping water core. As shown in Example 10, upon treating ScarletspurDelicious apple trees with a composition comprising 1-MCP at a dosagerate of 375 gram 1-MCP per one hectare immediately before harvesttiming, a higher percentage of water core-free apples may be achieved.

Similarly, some varieties of apples (such as, for example, Fuji apples)develop undesirable red spots known as “staining” during storage afterharvest. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, apple trees arecontacted with the composition of present disclosure prior to harvest,and the resulting crop of apples has an improved resistance todeveloping red spots during storage. As shown in Example 11, Fuji appletrees treated one or two times with a composition comprising 1-MCP at adosage rate of 211 gram 1-MCP per one hectare prior to harvest, providesa lower percentage of apples with staining compared to the untreatedFuji apple trees.

Also contemplated are embodiments in which the composition of presentdisclosure is applied to crop plants or seedlings prior to transplantingfrom one location to another location.

Thus, in other aspect for present disclosure, a method of treating cropplants or seedlings comprises contacting the crop plants or seedlingsone or more times with a composition comprising at least onecyclopropenes, and transplanting the crop plants or seedlings from onelocation to another location. The composition may be a gaseouscomposition, a liquid composition, or a solid composition.

Plants are subjected to transplant shock when they are transplanted fromone location to another location. Transplant shock involves variousabiotic environment stresses, such as heat, drought, cold, low or highsolar radiation, air pollutants, or water pollutants (high salt, metals,etc.)

Upon treating crop plants or seedlings one or more times with thedisclosed composition, fast recovery of the crop plants or seedlingsfrom transplant shock may be achieved. Indications of fast recovery mayinclude, but are not limited to, one or more of following:

-   -   a. faster shoot growth, production of green tissue        (leaves+stems), and height;    -   b. faster root growth;    -   c. less damage on existing leaves (e.g., less yellowing, tip        burn);    -   d. quicker establishment of upright position;    -   e. less wilting in days following transplantation;    -   f. greater biomass accumulation;    -   g. faster time to flowering and reproductive stages; or    -   h. more fruit set per plant and higher yield.

The methods of present disclosure may provide a transplant shockprotection to the treated crop plants against various stresses,including, but not limited to heat, drought, cold, low or high solarradiation, air pollutants, and water pollutants.

The methods of present disclosure may provide a transplant shockprotection across all vegetable species, but most importantly insolanaceous (tomato, pepper, eggplant), cucurbits (melon, cucumber), andcruciferous crops (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussel sprouts).

The methods of present disclosure may provide a transplant shockprotection for transplanting crop plants to either greenhouse productionenvironment, field environment, or both.

In some embodiments, the disclosed composition may be applied to plantswhile the plants are growing in a container, e.g., pots, flats, orportable beds. In some of such embodiments, when treated plants aresubsequently transplanted to open ground, the treated plants showenhanced resistance to transplant shock over the untreated plants.

In one embodiment of such aspect, a method of treating crop plants orseedlings comprises contacting seedlings of crop plants one or moretimes with a composition comprising at least one cyclopropenes,transplanting the treated seedlings from one location to anotherlocation; and allowing the transplanted seedlings to grow to maturity.

Suitable treatment may be performed on plants that are planted in acontrol environment (e.g., seedlings in greenhouse, hotbed, cold frame),in open ground, in one or more containers (such as, for example, a pot,planter, or vase), in confined or raised beds, or in other places.

In further aspect of the present disclosure, a method of treating dicotseedlings comprises contacting dicot seedlings one or more times with acomposition comprising at least one cyclopropenes prior to transplantingthe dicot seedlings (e.g., from minutes to 7 days prior to transplantingthe dicot seedlings). The composition may be a gaseous composition, aliquid composition, or a solid composition.

While there have been reports of using 1-MCP for treating plants, thereports are directed to the immediate effect of 1-MCP on plants whereinplants are treated with 1-MCP at or near their reproductive stage toincrease photosynthetic efficiency, reduce cell damage, and lowerabortion of reproductive structures (flowers, pods, bolls, kernels). Theeffect of the treatment is reported to last only a few days and is not along term effect such as two to three months after the application.

In the methods of present disclosure, upon applying a compositioncomprising at least one cyclopropenes (e.g., 1-MCP) to dicot seedlingsprior to transplanting, a dramatic increase in yield is achieved manyweeks or months after the application. Example 12 shows the treatment oftomato seedlings with a composition comprising about 50 ppm of 1-MCPthree days before transplanting the seedlings to hot stress conditionsin greenhouse. At the end of 21 days after transplanting, the tomatoplants grown from the treated tomato seedlings show higher height,numbers of branches and leafs, shoot dry weight, and root dry weightthan the tomato plants grown from untreated tomato seedlings. Example 13shows the treatment of tomato seedlings with a composition comprisingabout 50 ppm 1-MCP at three days before the seedling are transplanted toa field and grown to maturity. The transplanted tomato plants grown fromthe treated seedlings provided higher percentage of large-size tomatoescompared to the transplanted tomato plants grown from untreatedseedlings. Furthermore, the amount of large-size tomatoes obtained fromthe transplanted tomato plants grown from the treated seedlings aredouble the amount obtained from the transplanted tomato plants grownfrom untreated seedlings. Example 14 shows the treatment of cabbageseedlings with a composition comprising about 50 ppm 1-MCP immediatelybefore the seedling are transplanted to a field and grown to maturity.The transplanted cabbage plants grown from the treated seedlings providethe cabbage crop with higher head weight and at higher mass yieldcompared to the transplanted cabbage plants grown from untreatedseedlings.

Thus, applications of a composition comprising 1-MCP at minutes to 7days before transplanting dicot seedlings (e.g., tomato, pepper,crucifer, and cucurbit crops) improve the crop yield by 5-70%. Thesignificant increase in yield is largely due to the substantial increasein fruit numbers which are set months after the application of acomposition comprising 1-MCP. These results are unexpected in that theeffect is a long term effect of significantly higher yields in dicotseedlings that were treated as small seedlings prior to transplantation.This in spite of the dicot seedlings being grown in cells where rootsare not damaged prior to transplantation (i.e., little to no seedlingdamage). These significant effects on crop yield is not observed inrice. Further, the treatment has large effects on fruit numbers, inspite of the fact that the fruit are set months after the 1-MCPtreatment.

The disclosed methods of treating dicot seedlings (e.g., vegetableseedlings) one or more time with a composition comprising at least onecyclopropenes (e.g., 1-MCP) prior to transplanting the dicot seedlingshelp the dicot seedlings overcome transplant shock by recovering fromtransplant shock faster, flowering earlier, producing more fruits, andtherefore resulting in higher yields.

It is to be understood that for purposes of the present specificationand claims that the range and ratio limits recited herein can becombined. For example, if ranges of 60 to 120 and 80 to 110 are recitedfor a particular parameter, then the ranges of 60 to 110 and 80 to 120are also contemplated. For another example, if minimum values for aparticular parameter of 1, 2, and 3 are recited, and if maximum valuesof 4 and 5 are recited for that parameter, then it is also understoodthat the following ranges are all contemplated: 1 to 4, 1 to 5, 2 to 4,2 to 5, 3 to 4, and 3 to 5.

The following examples serve to explain embodiments of the presentdisclosure in more detail. These examples should not be construed asbeing exhaustive or exclusive as to the scope of this disclosure

EXAMPLES

The following materials were used:

-   Powder 1=powder containing 3.8% 1-MCP by weight, available as    AFXRD-038 from Rohm and Haas Co.-   Powder 2=powder containing 2.0% 1-MCP by weight, available as    AFXRD-020 from Rohm and Haas Co.-   Adjuvant 1=oil “AF-400,” which contains an emulsified spray oil    PureSpray Spray Oil 10E (severely hydrotreated mineral oils with    added emulsifier) from Petro Canada Co., an AEROSOL™ OT surfactant    (sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate surfactant) from Cytec Industries,    and TOMADOL™ surfactant (ethoxylated alcohol surfactant) from Tomah    Co.-   Adjuvant 2=DYNE-AMIC™ spray oil, available from Helena Chemical.

Example 1 Soybean Plants

To prepare the tested composition, spray tank was filled withapproximately two-thirds of the total volume of water required. Theamount of Powder 1 or Powder 2 was weighed according to the rate andtotal volume of spray being prepared. The appropriate amount wascalculated to give 1% v/v of total spray volume. Adjuvant 1 was added tothe spray tank, which was agitated until the mixture turned milky white.Powder 1 or Powder 2 was added to the spray container, which was thengently (not vigorously) agitated. The remaining water was added, makingsure all of the powder was wet and washed off of the sides of the tank(if any had deposited there). The spray tank was then swirled or stirredfor at least two minutes (2-5 minutes) to ensure good mixing of thecomposition. Between 5 and 60 minutes thereafter, soybean plants weresprayed with the composition.

Flat fan nozzles were used to apply the tested composition to soybeanplants, producing droplet size of 100 to 500 micrometers. Spray rate ofthe composition was 500 liter per hectare. Backpack sprayer was used.Spraying was performed before 10:00 am.

Soybean plants were treated with the tested composition when the soybeanplants were at one or more of the following growth stages: R2, R3, andR5.5. The results are shown below:

Dosage of Development Stage(s) Yield Protein Number 1-MCP (g/ha) at Timeof Application (kg/ha) Content (%) 1 Untreated 3607.20 36.93 2 Adjuvant1 only R2, R3, and R5.5 3661.56 37.02 3 1 R2 3691.44 37.88 4 1 R33795.48 37.89 5 1 R5.5 3659.76 38.25 6 1 R2 and R3 3786.48 37.85 7 1 R2and R5.5 3704.04 38.45 8 1 R3 and R5.5 3763.80 38.75 9 1 R2, R3, andR5.5 3955.68 38.4 10 10 R2 3671.64 37.67 11 10 R3 3757.68 38.64 12 10R5.5 3721.32 38.32 13 10 R2 and R3 3872.84 38.27 14 10 R2 and R5.53817.80 38.63 15 10 R3 and R5.5 3791.52 38.3 16 10 R2, R3, and R5.54119.48 37.87 17 30 R2 3702.24 38.08 18 30 R3 3747.24 38.33 19 30 R5.53817.80 37.58 20 30 R2 and R3 4118.76 36.73 21 30 R2 and R5.5 3844.4438.56 22 30 R3 and R5.5 3946.68 37.87 23 30 R2, R3, and R5.5 4347.0037.48

Treatment of soybean plants with a composition comprising 1-MCP whilethe soybean plants were at the reproductive stage of R2 (full bloom), R3(beginning pod) and/or R5.5 (between beginning seed and full seed)resulted in an increase in soybean crop yield, as well as an improvementin the protein content of the harvested soybean crops.

Example 2 Corn Plants

Corn of hybrid variety FR1064×LH185 was planted at 72,000 plants perhectare (ha), and treated as described in Example 1. Powder 1 was used.Treatment stage (i.e., developmental stage at which corn plants aretreated with the disclosed composition), treatment amounts (grams of1-MCP per hectare), and results were as follows. The simple measure ofyield is reported as metric ton (mT) per hectare. Other measures ofyield are also shown. Treatments lead to increase in yield by one ormore measures.

Development Stage(s) 1-MCP at Time Dosage Yield Kernel Kernel Protein ofApplication (g/ha) (mT/ha) wt (mg) no.⁽¹⁾ %⁽²⁾ Starch %⁽²⁾ Oil %⁽²⁾Untreated⁽³⁾ 0 1.64 248    444 7.8 71.7 4.6 V12 10 1.80⁽⁴⁾ 266⁽⁴⁾ 4717.7 71.7 4.6 V12 25 1.84⁽⁴⁾ 270⁽⁴⁾    495⁽⁴⁾ 7.5 72.0 4.6 VT 10 1.86⁽⁴⁾267⁽⁴⁾ 480 7.5 72.1⁽⁴⁾ 4.5 VT 25 1.87⁽⁴⁾ 277⁽⁴⁾ 451 7.7 71.7 4.6 R3 101.81⁽⁴⁾ 265⁽⁴⁾ 454 7.3 72.2 4.6 R3 25 1.82⁽⁴⁾ 265⁽⁴⁾ 471 7.6 72.1 4.7V12, VT 10 1.82⁽⁴⁾ 263⁽⁴⁾ 459 7.6 71.9 4.5 VT, R3 10 1.72 271⁽⁴⁾ 437 7.771.6 4.8⁽⁴⁾ V12, VT, R3 10 1.70 259    464 7.2⁽⁴⁾ 72.4⁽⁴⁾ 4.6 Notes:⁽¹⁾number of kernels per plant ⁽²⁾weight of protein (or starch or oil)as a percent based on the weight of the kernels ⁽³⁾untreated control. No1-MCP was used ⁽⁴⁾statistically distinct from the result obtained in theuntreated corn plants

Example 3 Cotton Plants

Using methods similar to those of Example 1, cotton plants were alsotested. Each treated group of cotton plants was treated either two orthree times, as follows:

Treatment Time of First Time of Second Time of Third Type TreatmentTreatment Treatment PHS 2 Soon after 14 days after first none appearanceof treatment pinhead squares PHS 3 Soon after 14 days after first 28days after first appearance of treatment treatment pinhead squares EB 2Soon after 14 days after first none appearance of treatment early bloomEB 3 Soon after 14 days after first 28 days after first appearance oftreatment treatment early bloom

The crop yield was assessed as the weight of lint per hectare. Treatmenttypes, treatment amounts (grams of 1-MCP per hectare), and results wereas follows. Many of the treatments lead to improvements in the yield oflint.

Dosage of Treatment Lint Yield 1-MCP (g/ha) Type (kg/ha) 250 PHS 2 230.6250 PHS 3 231.8 250 EB 2 245.3 250 EB 3 250.2 500 PHS 2 257.6 500 PHS 3262.0 500 EB 2 234.2 500 EB 3 261.3 1250 PHS 2 253.9 1250 PHS 3 241.41250 EB 2 235.0 1250 EB 3 260.7 0 Untreated 228.0 0 Adjuvant 1 only245.1

Example 4 Wheat Plants

Using methods similar to those of Example 1, wheat plants were sprayedat stage F10.5. Frost damage was assessed by examining the portion ofthe seed head damaged, and reported as the percentage of barren husks.Damage from fusarium disease was assessed as a percentage of seed headsdamaged by the disease organism. The following table shows that thetreated wheat plants showed higher yield, lower frost damage, and lowerdisease damage.

Dosage of 1- Crop Yield Frost Damage Disease Damage MCP (g/ha) (kg dryweight/ha) (%) (%) 0 3890 21 6 10 4458 6 0.5 25 4522 3 3

Example 5 Tomato Plants

To prepare the tested composition, a spray tank was filled withapproximately two-thirds of the total volume of water required. Theamount of Powder 1 or Powder 2 was weighed according to the intendedtreatment rate and total volume of spray being prepared. The appropriateamount was calculated to give 0.38% v/v of total spray volume. Adjuvant2 was added to the spray tank, which was agitated until the mixtureturned milky white. Powder 1 or Powder 2 was added to the spraycontainer, which was then gently (not vigorously) agitated. Theremaining water was added, making sure all of the powder was wet andwashed off of the sides of the tank (if any had deposited there). Thespray tank was then swirled or stirred for 2 to 5 minutes to ensure goodmixing of the composition Between 5 and 60 minutes thereafter, tomatoplants were sprayed with the composition.

Flat fan nozzles were used to apply the composition to tomato plants,producing droplet size of 100 to 500 micrometers. Spray rate of thecomposition was 187 to 373 liter per hectare (20 to 40 gallons peracre). Carbon dioxide-powered backpack sprayer was used. Spraying wasperformed before 10:00 am.

The tomato plants were treated with the composition while the tomatoplants at the following time:

  bloom1 = initiation of the first bloom period bloom2 = 7 days afterinitiation of the first bloom period   day28 = 28 days beforeanticipated harvest   day21 = 21 days before anticipated harvest   day14= 14 days before anticipated harvest

A. Tomato Plants of Variety AB2

Tomato plants of variety AB2 were grown in Gainesville, Fla. Brix issoluble solids (also called total soluble solids or soluble solidscontent) and is a measurement of tomato quality. Treatment was conductedby spraying tomato plants with the tested composition at the 1-MCPdosage of 25 g/ha (9.4 oz/acre).

Results were as shown in the following tables, wherein the fruit yieldis reported as mT/ha (tons/acre), the Brix yield is reported as solidsweight per unit land area, i.e., mT/ha (tons/acre), and the delay inharvest is reported as % mature green.

Trial 1

Treatment Timing Fruit Yield Brix Yield Delay bloom1 243 (44) 12.1(2.18) 10 bloom1 and bloom1 227 (41) 12.0 (2.17) 11 day28 221 (40) 11.6(2.10) 9 Untreated 199 (36) 10.5 (1.89) 8

Trial 2

Treatment Fruit Yield Brix Yield Delay bloom1 194 (35) 11.0 (1.99) 4bloom1 and bloom1 205 (37) 11.5(2.08) 3 day28 183 (33) 10.9 (1.97) 4Untreated 177 (32)  9.4 (1.70) 5

Trial 3

Treatment Fruit Yield Brix Yield Delay bloom1 and bloom2 111 (20) 6.4(1.15) 13 day 28 116 (21) 6.3 (1.14) 17 Untreated 105 (19) 5.8 (1.04) 15

Trial 4

Treatment Fruit Yield Brix Yield Delay bloom1 and bloom2 304 (55) 14.9(2.7) 5 Untreated 288 (52) 14.4 (2.6) 4

Tomato plants of variety AB2 that were treated with a compositioncomprising 1-MCP showed improvement in fruit yield as well as Brixyield, compared to the untreated tomato plants of variety AB2.

B. Tomato Plants of Variety 410

Tomato plants of variety 410 were grown and treated as described above.Results were as shown in the following tables, wherein the fruit yieldsare reported as Fruit Mass in mT/ha (tons/acre) unit, and as FruitNumber in thousands of fruit per hectare (thousands per acre) unit.

Trial 5

Treatment Fruit Mass Fruit Number bloom1 354 (64) 2245 (909) bloom2 376(68) 2406 (974) Untreated 327 (59) 2062 (835)

Tomato plants of variety 410 that were treated with a compositioncomprising 1-MCP showed improvement in tomato yield (based on either theamounts of tomato mass/acre or the numbers of tomatoes/acre), comparedto the untreated tomato plants of variety 410.

C. Tomato Plants of Variety FL 47

Tomato plants of variety FL 47 were grown in Florida and were treated asdescribed above. Yield is reported as mT/hectare (Cwt/acre, i.e., numberof hundred-pound groups per acre) Results were as follows:

Trial 6

Treatment Yield bloom1 27.0 (241) bloom2 21.5 (192) bloom1 and bloom223.3 (208) Untreated 19.4 (173)

Trial 7

Treatment Yield bloom1 18.3 (163) bloom2 18.6 (166) bloom1 and bloom217.2 (154) Untreated 15.8 (141)

Trial 8

Treatment Yield day 21 24.2 (216) day 14 20.4 (182) day 21 and day 1422.3 (199) Untreated 19.4 (173)

Tomato plants of variety FL47 that were treated with a compositioncomprising 1-MCP showed improvement in tomato yield, compared to theuntreated tomato plants of variety FL47.

Example 6 Bell Pepper Plants

Bell Pepper plants of Lady Bell variety was grown in Fostoria, Ohio on asmall plot and treated with the tested liquid compositions, as describedin Example 5, with one treatment at the initiation of the first bloomperiod. Treatment rates are reported as g/ha (oz/acre). Results arereported as Total Fruit (total number of bell peppers grown on theentire plot), Fruits per Plant (average number of bell peppers per oneplant), and Total Plants (total number of plants grown on the entireplot). “NS” means that the liquid composition contains no surfactant.Results were as follows:

Dosage of 1-MCP in g/ha (oz/acre) Total Fruits Fruits per Plant TotalPlants Untreated 176 6.1 16  5 (1.9) 292 10.1 23 25 (9.4) 243 8.4 22 25(9.4)NS 231 8 22

Bell pepper plants that were treated with a composition comprising 1-MCPprovided higher numbers of bell peppers per planting plot and per plant,compared to the untreated bell pepper plants. Thus, an increase in cropyield of bell pepper plants was achieved by contacting bell pepperplants with a composition comprising 1-MCP increased at the initiationof the first bloom period of bell paper plants.

Example 7 Watermelon

Watermelon (variety triploid cv. SS 7187) plants were treated asdescribed in Example 5. Treatment rates are reported in grams 1-MCP perhectare. Timing is reported as DAF (days after flowering). A marketablemelon is a harvested melon with mass of 4.54 kg or greater. A cull is aharvested melon with mass less than 4.54 kg or an unharvested melon thathad diameter greater than 5 cm. The following results are reported:

Num25= number of fruit of diameter greater than 5 cm per plant, assessedbefore harvest, at 25 DAF, also known as “fruit set” NumTot= Harvestedand Unharvested Fruits, 42-56 Days, with diameter greater than 5 cmNumMark= number of marketable melons per plant NumCull= number of cullsper plant Size= average size of fruit, in kg Yield= mass of marketablemelons, in metric tons per hectare

Timing (no. days Treatment after Rate flowering) Num25 NumMark NumCullsYield Size Untreated — 1.25 1.09 0.78 44.4 7.46 5  7 1.25 1.24 0.64 46.26.83 5 14 1.83 1.44 0.58 58.1 7.44 5 7 and 14 1.58 1.40 0.71 55.8 7.2610  7 1.17 1.47 0.71 60.6 7.56 10 14 1.42 1.33 0.64 51.9 7.09 10 7 and14 1.67 1.33 0.78 51.4 7.10 25  7 1.58 1.49 0.58 57.0 7.08 25 14 1.751.42 0.58 57.1 7.41 25 7 and 14 1.92 1.29 0.60 50.3 7.15

As shown in the table above, the watermelon plants treated with acomposition at 1-MCP dosage rate of 25 g/ha resulted in a significantincrease in fruit set over the untreated watermelon plants. The treatedwatermelon plants also showed a significant increase in the number ofmarketable fruit over the untreated watermelon plants. Furthermore, thetreated watermelon plants showed a significant increase in yield overthe untreated watermelon plants. Differences in fruit size between thetreated watermelon plants and the untreated watermelon plants were notsignificant.

Example 8 Cantaloupe Plants

Cantaloupe plants were treated as described in Example 5. Timing oftreatment was before blossom opening or ten days after blossom opening.The average first flower set was measured. Results were as follows:

Development Stage of Cantaloupe plants at the Time of Treatment AverageFirst Flower Set Untreated 0.137 Before blossom opening 0.161 10 daysafter blossom opening 0.0247

As shown in the table above, the cantaloupe plants treated with acomposition comprising 1-MCP before blossom opening provided improvedaverage first flower set over the untreated cantaloupe plants.

Example 9 Golden Delicious Apple Trees

Golden Delicious apple trees were sprayed with a composition comprising1-MCP one week before they were harvested using methods similar to thosedescribed in Example 1. The composition comprising 1-MCP was preparedfrom Powder 1 and tested at a dosage rate of 375 gram 1-MCP per onehectare. For comparison, 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) at 20 ppm, andaminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) at 125 ppm were also tested.

The treated apples were left on the trees to observe postharvest drop.Numbers of dropped apple fruits per tree were determined after differenttime period after the treatment as shown in the following table.

No. Days Numbers of Dropped Fruit per Tree after Powder TreatmentUntreated NAA treated AVG treated 1 treated 0 0 0 0 0 7 18 5 5 4 62 3011 11 9 21 45 20 23 15 28 115 65 35 20 35 195 118 45 39

As shown in the table above, apple trees treated with a compositioncomprising 1-MCP showed the least amount of dropped apple fruit per treeand thereby the highest crop yield.

Example 10 Scarletspur Delicious Apple Trees

Scarletspur Delicious apple trees were sprayed with a compositioncomprising 1-MCP immediately before commercial harvest timing usingmethods similar to those described in Example 1. The compositioncomprising 1-MCP was prepared from Powder 1 and tested at a dosage rateof 375 gram 1-MCP per one hectare.

The harvested apples were evaluated for the presence of water core. Thefollowing table shows the percentage of apples (based on the number ofapples in storage) that showed no water core as a function of days afterharvest. The treated apples showed a comparable or higher percentage ofwater core-free apples.

Days % Apples in the Storage that are free of Water Core After AppleTree Harvest Untreated Apple Trees Treated with 1-MCP 4 98 95 8 98 98 1282 98 15 70 98 19 66 95 24 40 98 29 20 98 34 10 42

Example 11 Full Apples Trees

Fuji apple trees were sprayed were sprayed with a composition comprisingabout 250 ppm of 1-MCP, either one or two times, prior to harvest usingmethods similar to those described in Example 1. Each spraying provideda dosage of 1-MCP of approximately 211 g/ha (520 g/acre). Afterharvesting and storage, the apples were inspected for staining. Thepercent of apples that showed staining was as follows:

Treatment of the % Apples in Storage with Apple Trees Appearance ofStaining Untreated 12 1 spray application 8.5 2 spray applications 3

As shown in the table above, the apple trees treated with a compositioncomprising 1-MCP, either one or two times, provided lower amount ofapple fruits with staining compared to the untreated apple trees.

Example 12 Tomato Plants Transplanted to Heat Stress Environment inGreenhouse

Tomato seedlings were grown under optimal conditions until 4-6 inches inheight. A composition comprising about 50 ppm of 1-MCP was applied tothe tomato seedling. At three days after the application, tomatoseedlings were transplanted and moved into hot stress conditions ingreenhouse where they were grown for 21 more days. At the end of 21days, various variable of the tomato plants grown from the treatedtomato seedlings were measured and compared to those of the tomatoplants grown from the untreated tomato seedlings. The percentageincrease in different variables of the tomato plants grown from thetreated tomato seedlings over the tomato plants grown the untreatedtomato seedlings as shown in the table below.

Variable % 1-MCP Increase Height (cm) 24% Numbers of Branches 23%Numbers of Leafs 10% Shoot Dry Weight 59% Root Dry Weight 54%

At the end of 21 days after transplanting to heat stress environment ingreenhouse, the tomato plants grown from the treated tomato seedlingshowed higher height, numbers of branches and leaf, shoot dry weight,and root dry weight over the tomato plants grown the untreated tomatoseedlings.

Example 13 Tomato Plants Transplanted to Field Environment

Tomato seedlings were grown under normal production plant houseconditions until 4-6 inches tall. A composition comprising about 50 ppmof 1-MCP was applied to the tomato seedling. At three days after theapplication, the seedlings were transplanted into field productionfacility in Florida and grown to maturity. Tomatoes were harvested usingstandard commercial hand picking practices for fresh tomatoes. The tablebelow showed that the transplanted tomato plants grown from the treatedseedlings provided higher percentage of large-size tomatoes compared tothe transplanted tomato plants grown from the untreated seedlings.Furthermore, the amount of large-size tomatoes obtained from thetransplanted tomato plants grown from the treated seedlings were doublethe amount obtained from the transplanted tomato plants grown from theuntreated seedlings.

Numbers of Tomatoes Produced for Transplanted Tomato Seedlings(percentage) Values Treatment with 1-MCP Untreated Large 16,453 (55%)8,077 (48%) Medium 10,305 (34%) 5,918 (35%) Small  3,350 (11%) 2,882(17%)

Example 14 Cabbage Plants Transplanted to Field Environment

Cabbage seedlings were grown under normal plant house productionpractices until ready to transplant to field. A composition comprisingabout 50 ppm of 1-MCP was applied to the tomato seedlings. Immediatelyafter the application, the seedlings were transplanted into the fieldtrial in Florida and grown to maturity. Cabbage were harvested usingstandard commercial hand picking practices. The average head weight ofcabbage (lb) and the total weight of cabbage obtained per acre werereported below.

Avg. Head Weight Total (lbs) Lb/A Treatment with 1-MCP 16,453 8,077Untreated 10,305 5,918 % Increase by 1-MCP Treatment 50% 50%

As shown in the table above, the transplanted cabbage plants grown fromthe treated seedlings provided the cabbage crop with higher head weightand at higher mass yield compared to the transplanted cabbage plantsgrown from the untreated seedlings.

We claim:
 1. A method of treating dicot seedlings, comprising contactingdicot seedlings with a composition comprising at least one cyclopropeneone or more times prior to transplanting the dicot seedlings.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the composition is a liquid compositioncomprising at least one cyclopropene.
 3. The method of claim 1, whereinthe composition is a gaseous composition comprising at least onecyclopropene.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the compositioncomprises about 50 ppm of at least one cyclopropene.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the composition comprising at least one cyclopropene isa composition comprising 1-mehtylcyclopropene (1-MCP).
 6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the composition further comprises least one molecularencapsulating agent.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the compositionfurther comprises least one metal-complexing agent.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein contacting dicot seedlings with a compositioncomprising at least one cyclopropene comprises contacting the dicotseedlings with the composition minutes to 7 days prior to transplanting.9. The method of claim 1, wherein the dicot seedlings comprise dicotseedlings for vegetable plants.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein thedicot seedlings comprise dicot seedlings for the crops selected from thegroup consisting of solanaceous crops, cucurbits crop, and cruciferouscrops.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the dicot seedlings comprisedicot seedlings for a plant selected from the group consisting oftomato, pepper, eggplant, melon, cucumber, broccoli, cauliflower,cabbage, and brussel sprout.
 12. A method of treating crop plants,comprising: contacting crop plants one or more times with a compositioncomprising at least one cyclopropene, while the crop plants are at oneor more reproductive stages.
 13. The method of claim 12, whereincontacting crop plants one or more times with a composition comprisingat least one cyclopropene comprises: contacting soybean plants one ormore times with the composition while the soybean plants are at one ormore reproductive stage selected from R2 (full bloom), R3 (beginningpod), or R5.5 (between beginning seed and full seed).
 14. The method ofclaim 12, wherein contacting crop plants one or more times with acomposition comprising at least one cyclopropene comprises: contactingtomato plants one or more times with the composition at one or more ofthe following times: during the period from initiation of the firstbloom period to seven days after the initiation of the first bloomperiod; and during the period from 28 days before anticipated harvestuntil harvest.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein contacting cropplants one or more times with a composition comprising at least onecyclopropene comprises: contacting bell pepper plants one or more timeswith the composition while the bell pepper plants are at the initiationof the first bloom period.
 16. The method of claim 12, whereincontacting crop plants one or more times with a composition comprisingat least one cyclopropene comprises: contacting watermelon plants one ormore times with the composition within 14 days after flowering ofwatermelon plants.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein contacting cropplants one or more times with a composition comprising at least onecyclopropene comprises: contacting cantaloupe plants one or more timewith the composition after bud initiation but before blossom opening.18. The method of claim 12, wherein contacting crop plants one or moretimes with a composition comprising at least one cyclopropene comprises:contacting crop plants one or more times with a liquid compositioncomprising 1-mehtylcyclopropene (1-MCP), while the crop plants are atone or more reproductive stages.
 19. A method of treating crop plants,comprising contacting crop plant one or more times with a compositioncomprising at least one cyclopropene while the crop plants are at aspecific development stage, wherein: when the crop plants are cornplants, the specific development stage is selected from V12 (the twelfthleaf emerges), VT (tasselling), R3 (milk), or a combination of any ofthese development stages; or when the crop plants are cotton plants, thespecific development stage comprises at no more than 3 days afterappearance of early bloom on the cotton plants for a first contact, at14 days after the first contact, and at 28 days after the first contact.20. The method of claim 19, comprising contacting crop plants one ormore times with a composition comprising at least one cyclopropenecomprises: contacting crop plants one or more times with a liquidcomposition comprising 1-mehtylcyclopropene (1-MCP), while the cropplants are at the specific development stage.